Breast cancer survivor Dianne shares her beauty and blessings

Modderfontein resident Dianne Christophers is many things in life, but her crowning achievement is being a breast cancer survivor.

She was diagnosed with HER2 negative breast cancer in July 2018 following a routine mammogram.

“I had my mammogram and biopsy on the Monday, and by Tuesday morning I was about to become a cancer patient and the whirlwind was just beginning.

“If it was not for the mammogram, I cannot say what the outcome would have been,” Dianne said.

She said the diagnosis was the scariest thing she had ever been through.

“I had never known anyone who had breast cancer so I had absolutely no idea what to expect.”

In the six months that followed, Dianne endured chemotheraphy and 26 session of radiation before she underwent surgery.

“From diagnosis to the end of all my treatments took one year. It was the longest year of my life,” she said.

Dianne boasts she recently celebrated her one-year cancerversary and still cannot believe she’s been through it.

“My family were at my side every step of the way, from tests to doctors and surgeons to chemo. I could not have done this without their support. As a mom it broke my heart to see them hurting and knowing there was nothing I could do to take the fear away.

“I knew I had to be strong, firstly for myself and then for my family,” she said.

Despite the struggles of fighting cancer, Dianne also found the strength to launch her own business, Beauty and Blessings.

“My business came about from my own experience and struggles of finding the right headwear at realistic prices. I decided I would have mine made because I needed colours to match my outfits. Any woman going through cancer still needs to look and feel fabulous. So the ideas were all put into action and before long we were selling our headwear online,” Dianne said.

Launching Beauty and Blessings took longer than she had hoped as she was still undergoing chemo.

“Perseverance paid off and I now get to assist other women who might not want to wear wigs in the heat and prefer a more comfortable feel. Beauty and Blessings has now been going for just over one year and I cannot tell you the amazing people I have met through this business.

“It warms my heart and makes me feel so blessed to make a difference. Sometimes I am just an ear for my clients and that is perfectly all right. I have been down this road and understand where my clients are coming from,” Dianne said.

She added that every woman’s breast cancer journey is different.

“The one thing we all have in common is hope, hope that we were diagnosed early enough.

“Going through cancer is an exhausting journey. One week you feel great, then you have chemo and that throws you out for a week and then the routine starts all over again,” she said.

Dianne believes support groups are vital for anyone on their cancer journey.

“I am proud to be associated with the Filotimo Cancer Project.”

She reminded all women over the age of 40 to routinely book themselves for a mammogram.

“Self-examination is also important. No one knows your body better than you. Do self-examinations at least once a month,” Dianne said.

“Being a survivor is not enough. You now need to become a thriver. You will always be a survivor, but to be a thriver is a reminder we were given another chance and we need to grab life with both hands and make the most of it.”

Dianne’s tips for dealing with cancer:

• Notes – Always have a book and pen with you or download an app to keep track of all appointments, medicines and questions for you doctors. There is such an overload of information to take in, in such a short time.

• Water – when you think you can’t drink any more water before chemo, believe me you can. Get yourself the prettiest water bottles out there and just keep filling it up.

• Your body – Listen to your body, fatigue is real and no amount of sleeping takes it away, so just go with what your body is telling you and rest. Meditation and yoga can help you destress.

• Food – While going through chemo, I couldn’t eat many things. I couldn’t stand chocolate and I am a chocoholic, fortunately the taste buds do come back. Try to eat even the tiniest of portions just to keep the body fuelled.

• Chemo – The first day of chemo can be rather frightening, so ensure you have your chemo bag ready with all the necessities in it, such as water, snacks, earphones, phone charger, pen, notebook and a small blanket. Make sure you have a light breakfast before you go.

• Hair loss – I can’t speak for everyone, but I was devastated at the thought of losing my hair, so before it even started to fall out, I had already bought a wig and chemo headwear, be prepared, because one day you have hair and the next day you don’t. Take control of your head and don’t let cancer take control of you.

• Information – It is so easy to google and the one thing my oncologist told me right at the beginning is, only read articles that are from professional sources or organisation. The Cansa Association of South Africa also has a wealth of info on their website.

• Your team – Ensure you are comfortable and happy with your team of specialists, they are going to care and see you through this journey, they are your angels during this time.

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