Local woman relays her bravery of surviving cancer

Another woman who is leading by example within her community is Elise Fourie.

Her journey with thyroid cancer has been both harrowing and heartwarming, filled with challenges that she has faced with remarkable bravery.

“My meeting with thyroid cancer started in a strange, but oddly heart-warming, manner.

“The surgeon said to me, if you are told you must have cancer you have no choice about it, but you can choose which one, then this is the one to choose.”

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During a consultation for severe mouth ulcers, her general practitioner discovered small nodules on her thyroid.
“If he had not examined my thyroid, I may not have been so lucky.

“I was very resistant to losing my thyroid. I know the important role of a thyroid and I wanted to avoid the physical, emotional, and cognitive impact of living without a thyroid. But alas, that was not to be,” she explained.

After a left thyroidectomy, she underwent two treatments with radioactive iodine to destroy what was left of her thyroid.

“This was a freaky experience, not only was I radioactive for two to three days but I felt like a chipmunk with mumps! Adapting to life without a thyroid was, and still is, challenging.

“To remain healthy, one takes a higher than-required dosage of thyroid medication.

“The daily heart palpitation ‘attacks’, due to the high dosage, sometimes leave me a bit breathless, and often worried. Is my heart okay, or is this stress?”

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She developed insulin resistance and went into menopause shortly after turning 47.

Initially hesitant to identify herself as a cancer survivor, she was encouraged by Cansa’s supportive staff to recognise the value of her journey.

Through her volunteer work, Elise has embraced her role as a beacon of hope for others facing similar battles.

Her contributions have extended beyond personal support, as she has actively participated in Cansa’s Relay for Life events, chaired survivor and caregiver committees, and engaged in various fundraising initiatives.

“I was too embarrassed to tell other cancer survivors I was a survivor too. Compared to their difficult, painful, and difficult journeys, mine seemed easier – what do I have to complain about, I have a ‘mickey mouse’ cancer?

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“But I was reminded by the wonderful staff of Cansa, that I, like other survivors, heard the words, ‘you have cancer’. The bottom dropped out of my world too at that moment. In addition, living without a thyroid has its own unique challenges every single day.

“And even though I may not be diagnosed with thyroid cancer again, I am not guaranteed that I may not be diagnosed with another kind of cancer.

“I therefore feel as nervous as my fellow survivors when it’s time for my yearly follow-up scans, and as relieved when I am declared healthy,” explained Fourie.

She expressed her gratitude to her husband and two daughters for always being supportive.

“As a psychologist who has been diagnosed with cancer, I have walked many individual journeys with my patients, friends and acquaintances diagnosed with cancer.

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“I’ve cried with them when wounds did not heal properly or when chemotherapy became too much, I’ve rejoiced with them when they are in remission, and I’ve cried with them when they became sick again.

“I have supported children diagnosed with cancer, and I’ve tried to answer some pretty tough questions by children about death.”

Her journey with Cansa Relay for Life, started in 2011 when she was invited to chair the Survivor and Caregiver subcommittee for the first Cansa Relay for Life Corporate.