Living with cancer, one woman’s story of courage

She explained, “In August last year, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer after having constant pains in my womb. Since that day, my life changed drastically, I even had to shave off my hair.”

She said at the time of her diagnosis, she had just bought a house in Soshanguve. She made a decision that after such an achievement, she couldn’t just succumb to a disease and die.

The 33-year-old said being diagnosed with cancer is not the end of the road, but, if it was not for the support of her family, friends and colleagues, she would not have had as much courage to keep her spirits up.

She underwent chemotherapy and radiation for four months as the cancer was in an early stage.

“While it was not easy to live with the fact that I have cancer – and during chemotherapy I was scared I was going to die – I was positive and focused on winning the battle until I finished the treatment. I was positive that the treatment would help. It is important for every woman to do a pap smear as directed by a doctor to detect cancer,” she said.

An oncologist also advised her to change her diet which helped her body to respond well to the treatment. “To complement my diet, I joined a walking group and in July, I managed to finish an 8km walk that was arranged by 702, a radio station. On 25 October, I walked for Avon Justine Ithemba Walktown in Marks Park for breast cancer,” said Makunyane.

She said she had to be strong for her son and her mother and fight the misconceptions and doubts that she had about cancer. She encouraged anyone who may be facing an illness to not give up but continue with treatment.

Makunyane said she will never look back and is happy. She said she would continue to fight until she is cancer free – and her recent check-up showed that the cancer is currently stable.

To encourage Shirley Makunyane on her journey as she fights cancer go to @MidrandReporter