By Nevison Mpofu
Bulawayo resident, Pamhidzai Thaka lives to remember her health history after a bit of long struggle battling breast cancer from 2017. The 59 year old mother was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Quoted previously Mrs Thaka recalled the day she received her results.
‘’They told me I had breast cancer that had spread to one of my lungs. There were traces of cancer cells on my spinal cord. My son, I was with him. I could see he was traumatized. I am their surviving parent, so it hit him hard’’.
Counselling and networks with survivors.
This helped Mrs Thaka . At first, gripped by fear, lowered by the spirit of less hope, she avoided going to the Doctor. She later realized a lump on her breast while she had a bath. She then connected for counselling at the same time linking, connecting and networking friendly relations with some other survivors.
‘’I had accepted my fate until I received counselling. I was assured I had the chance to fight this disease despite its stage four level.
Mrs Thaka initiated a treatment plan late in 2017. She began chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The main reason was to go for mastectomy .This is removal of the affected part of the breast. She said then the idea of mastectomy was difficult, this because of how women are socially conditioned to associate their worth with their bodies.
‘’At first the idea of breast removal, mastectomy, was difficult because of how women are socially conditioned to associate our worth with our bodies. However with the great support I received from family and friends, I completed chemotherapy and qualified for surgery in February 2018’’
‘’Through a long journey with breast cancer, I had to adjust not only physically to the state of the disease but to major life-style changes including my diet. I was advised to focus on healthy foods like green vegetables, carrots, fruits, yoghurt, traditional greens so that I could strengthen my body’’.
Although she under-went mastectomy, she continued chemotherapy. This is done to target cancerous cells in lungs and spinal cord. Mrs Thaka in her journey struggled with the emotional and psychological effects of the disease.
Cancer needs emotional support
Cancer is not easy especially when one has no emotional support, she indicated this. It needs support so that someone can have the eagerness to move on and fight the disease. For now she focusses on her long journey with gratitude, dedication and resilience against psychological pain and trauma.
‘’Someone with cancer needs emotional support. It’s a tough journey that needs support. I encourage cancer victims not to despair. Victims of cancer must not think it’s the end. Share your stories and get support. You need to link with others, those who have survived. Have strong networks to keep on fighting till to the end.’’ She ended.
Stage 4 cancer, is advanced or metastatic. It occurs when cancer spreads from the original point of start of the disease. When it spreads through the body, it reaches the lungs, liver, bones or brain. Normally it becomes a big health problem when it gets experienced in such a way. According to medical persons of high expertise, cancer is curable but it needs strong networks and support.
