2019 matric learner Antonio Aristides went from playing PlayStation with friends and soccer at the Greek Sporting Club to standing in line for chemotherapy during his final exams, yet, despite all the odds, passed with eight distinctions.
Saheti School’s Antonio was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, on July 13, 2019, just three papers into prelims.
“I had two bumps on my neck. At first I thought it was a muscle spasm. Right when I started noticing them, I also began to have flu symptoms. I also had these intense night sweats, especially during my prelims,” said Antonio.
Not knowing what might be the reason behind these symptoms, Antonio turned to his kung fu instructor for some advice.
“He told me he hadn’t seen a muscle spasm that big and said I should rather have it checked out. I went to my general practitioner. My GP put me on a course of antibiotics. It went away for a while, but then returned. I took another course but the symptoms still came back. She then said I should go for a biopsy,” said Antonio.
He said he was writing business paper one on the day he went for the biopsy, and then three days later he was told by his GP he had cancer.
“My type of cancer is not the worst form. I was affected on my neck, chest and spleen. Mine was stage four due to it being located inside an organ.”
He said before his diagnosis he already had his suspicions it was Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“I was freaking out. When I went for the biopsy they said they were testing for lymphoma, which I had never heard about before. I googled it and the symptoms that were described to me were exactly what came up. I just searched my symptoms and I got Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“When I actually received the diagnosis everything stopped like in a movie scene. It was surreal. You hear about cancer, but you never ever think you would get it.”
He said he found the irony in being diagnosed right when he turned 18.
“This is the time in life I’m supposed to begin my life and then all of sudden it can all go away,” he said.
Antonio said the first thing he told himself was that he needed to complete matric.
He said in the beginning he went for a few operations and check-ups and had to get used to a few changes.
“I used to play a lot of soccer. I played for Black Aces Football Club and I played a lot of indoor soccer last year, which became less. My family and friends also changed as they got a kind of a wake-up call on just how fragile life can be,” said Antonio.
He said he had one session of chemotherapy during prelims and then did a few more throughout finals.
“My game plan was to study whenever I could. With chemotherapy your body takes strain regardless of what your mindset is. Whenever I felt good or got the opportunity, I would study. I studied while I was receiving chemotherapy. I would sit there for a few hours and it was the only way to get it done. I would, however, take the rest I needed when I was tired.”
Antonio credited Saheti for being supportive during this time, as they would schedule days for writing around his cancer treatments.
“I went for an operation one time and they were really running late at the hospital, for like four hours, and I was supposed to write English the next day. Head of academics at Saheti, Daniela Pitt, said I could write it the day after. The school has been incredible, including my friends.”
He said people had been treating him differently since his diagnosis, but in a good way.
“Generally I don’t really like sympathy. I told my parents I don’t want to be treated differently. I’m not an emotional guy, I haven’t cried once since I was diagnosed. My parents are there 24/7 now to the point where I want to push them away, but I don’t. They are present, they won’t let me go and I find comfort in that now.”
He said he had a few low points while studying and going for treatment.
“During August holidays, my brother and sister went away and I had to stay back. I had this moment where I thought this entire situation has messed up my life. But what got me out of that feeling was messages of support from my friends, along with my parents always being by my side.
“It really was the little things that got me through. Studying for matric also helped me. It helped me to concentrate and focus on my work instead of the cancer. The hardest parts were when I wasn’t studying and I had nothing to focus on.”
He added studying for matric was a saviour in a sense, but he had challenges with concentration as he would be tired and fall asleep sometimes while studying on a bed rather than at a desk.
“I had this moment when I went for chemotherapy, where I realised just how much people are affected by cancer. The lines waiting for chemotherapy are ridiculous. You have to designate a full day. It can be from four to six hours. I was also the youngest one there, which shocked a few patients,” he said.
Antonio said he has always been a stubborn person. If he sets his mind to something he does it and that contributed to his fighting spirit during this time.
“After the diagnosis I got home and I wasn’t crying, but my mom was. I told her I will beat this and I will finish matric. I told her I just want normality. I told both my parents not to cry.”
He said he also grabbed at the chance to be an inspiration to others.
“The thought of fighting cancer and completing matric are two big things on their own and the fact that I had to do both at the same time was something I chose to use as an inspiration to others.”
He said everyone has their own struggle, and he is not any different.
“I know of a learner at my school that lost a parent during matric. I mean, I cannot imagine how that must feel.”
He said his initial goal was to get nine distinctions, but after his diagnosis, just finishing matric would’ve sufficed.
“I didn’t know what to expect. I remember the doctors telling me I may not be able to finish matric. That really motivated me to work harder and gave me determination. I mean, I could’ve done better if I didn’t have cancer, but I did my best and I am happy with the outcome.”
Now being the learner who passed matric with eight distinctions while battling cancer, he said he wears that crown proudly.
“I don’t really like the spotlight, but if my story can help others in a similar or any other situation, I will be an inspiration a million times over.”
He recently completed his last PET scan after his fourth treatment and it showed good signs.
“My doctor said I am responding well to the chemotherapy, but that there is no telling for sure until my next scan, which will be in February. The goal is remission or cure and I am excited for that to happen,” said Antonio.
“I hope to be remembered in this time as someone who helped others achieve a goal despite being thrown a curveball. I hope to inspire perseverance.”
For the future he is looking at studying engineering, but hasn’t decided which type or on any university as yet.
“Cancer is such a volatile disease. You can feel good one day and the next you feel bad. I just want to take it day by day. I am looking forward to some freedom, meeting new people and doing a road trip with my friends. You can’t predict anything and this is what the past year has taught me. I have never smoked or drank in my life. Sometimes in life there’s no reason for something bad to happen to you. You just have to get through it,” said Antonio.
