Countries across the world recognise Breast Cancer Awareness Month every October. The initiative aims to create awareness and promote early detection and treatment. To commemorate the month and help raise awareness, the Northglen News’s Danica Hansen chats to three women who have been effected by breast cancer. Each week we will share one woman’s story.
MOUNT MORIAH resident, Thule Dladla was 24 when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in April 2016. After surgery and a gruelling round of chemo that left her bed ridden for over a month at King Edward VIII Hospital, Dladla, a new mother is now in remission at the age of 27.
Fearing for the worst, Dladla turned a blind eye to her symptoms of pain and fatigue for six months before seeking treatment.
“I was so scared to go to the hospital. I thought doctors would have to remove my breast,” she said.
Dropping out of college
Her symptoms worsened after two months when her nipples started to bleed.
“I was a student at Elangeni College and my colleagues would notice blood on my white uniform. I was feeling tired and stressed at the time. I was thinking too much about life. I went to a pharmacy and got breast pads to wear,” she said.
After the pharmacist advised that she sees a doctor, Dladla went to King Edward VIII Hospital where she had several tests done. She was then sent to Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg for a MRI scan. Once diagnosed, she was sent back to King Edward V III Hospital where she had two tumours removed surgically.
“I wish I had gone for a check up sooner. If I treated it earlier, I might not have needed to have chemo. Maybe they could have just removed my tumours,” she said.
The two weeks of chemotherapy pushed Dladla to her limits. She described it as a maddening time.
“I thought I was losing my mind every time I was having chemo. It is hot and it goes into your veins and feels like it is stretching your body from the inside,” she said.
Also read: ‘It was fight or flight, and I chose fight.’
The recovery period
Dladla spent a month recovering from her surgery before she had chemo treatment. She said the incision in her breast was not stitched up, but left to heal naturally under the watchful eye of nurses and doctors.
“They leave the breast open after the tumour is removed. It took a month for it to close naturally. It was very painful, a throbbing pain. After the operation, I felt uncertain. They told me if chemo didn’t work, they would have to remove my breast,” she added.
Some of the challenges of her month of treatment included missing out on college and being far away from family.
“I was scared. I thought I was going to leave my family behind,” she said.
Also read: WATCH: President Ramaphosa cuts ribbon at Mara phone launch
Vital family support
Sister, Minnie Dladla felt the same fears as she prayed for a full recovery.
“I was very shocked about how she found out that she had cancer. When she was recovering, there was one day when I thought it would be the last day I’d see her. Her breasts were so swollen and she was crying. I’m just happy she is cancer free now and she can live a happy life,” said Minnie.
While Dladla is overjoyed to have healthy three-week old baby, Senselwe Dladla, falling pregnant so soon after chemo was not advised by her doctor, who said she should wait for at least three years after her chemo treatments ended in 2018.
“I was scared when I found out I was pregnant. I went straight to the hospital to see my oncologist. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be a mother,” she said.
You can also sign up for news alerts on Telegram. Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5532. 
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
