Mum fighting breast cancer needs help
"Denise is desperate to remain a wife to her husband and mummy to her children."
To say the last 14 months for Springs resident Denise Christie have been difficult would be an understatement.
In addition to dealing with the stress and hardship of a pandemic, the 32-year-old has battled a life-threatening disease and suffered immense loss following the death of her mum, who was murdered.
Initially conquering breast cancer, the disease has now returned and an estimated R200 000 is required for Denise to receive life-saving treatment at a private facility.
An appeal has been made for residents to open their hearts and wallets to assist.
She had been receiving treatment at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, but, due to a backlog, the treatment she requires might only be available again at the end of the year.
According to Denise’s mother-in-law, Antoinette Victor, Denise was diagnosed with stage three triple-negative breast cancer in August last year.
“This is an aggressive type of breast cancer that is hard to treat, but it didn’t stop Denise fighting it full force,” she said.
“After chemo, a lumpectomy and the removal of lymph nodes, Denise was cancer-free in February. Even though the test showed Denise was cancer-free, she still had to undergo radiation.”
Also read: Breast cancer awareness
During her treatment, her husband, Gideon, was always outside the hospital waiting for her while the couple’s three children, Kylie (16), Nikita (14) and Tristan (8) were in the care of Denise’s mum, Wilna Smit.
Following a fire at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital in April, it was no longer possible for Denise to undergo radiation and her treatment was postponed.
This setback was followed by tragedy when Wilna, who lived alone after her husband Gert’s death, was murdered in her home in Deneysville in the Free State on May 14.
Wilna was strangled and several items were stolen from the home. Denise found her mum’s body.
“For Denise, this felt like the end of the road and put even more stress on her. Her mother was no longer there to help her with the children and support her,” said Antoinette, who lives in Klerksdorp.
“It is not possible for me to help Denise the way I want to. It breaks my heart to not be there for her. At this stage, I am not even able to visit her for a weekend for support because I don’t have a vehicle or the funds to do so.
“Denise is like my own daughter and this breaks my heart.”
Two months later, the family suffered another blow when Denise received the news that cancer had returned.
“An emergency mastectomy had to be done on Denise in August. Once again after the mastectomy, the news came back that Denise was cancer-free. Still, she couldn’t go for radiation,” said Antoinette.
“Then, at the end of September, Denise realised something wasn’t right. She contacted the professor who treated her and she suggested that Denise goes to the hospital’s oncology department as soon as possible.
“Denise got an appointment and underwent more tests and scans on October 6. According to the doctor, the prognosis isn’t good.
“The doctor also informed her the only way to save her life will be if she underwent further treatment privately, as there is a huge backlog due to Covid.”
Also read: Volunteers pitch in for cancer fundraiser
The pandemic also forced Denise to close her day-care business, which has had a financial impact on the family.
“Through all this, Denise has stayed positive. She is the strongest and bravest person I know and has kept her difficult days from her children and even her family,” said Antoinette.
“If it wasn’t for her hair falling out, you would never know she had cancer.
“Denise is desperate to remain a wife to her husband and mummy to her children.”
The family is trying to raise funds to help Denise receive treatment at a private facility. Donations can be paid into the following account and all monies received will be used for Denise’s cancer treatment only: account holder Denise Christie, Capitec Bank, account number 168 500 9563, branch code 470010 and Cancer Treatment as reference.
The family will also be grateful to any organisations or individuals who can assist with fund-raising.
Antoinette may be contacted on 081 754 1425.
• October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Prof Jackie Smilg, chair of the Breast Imaging Society of South Africa (BISSA), stressed that the ‘gold standard’ for detection of breast cancer remains the mammogram, which can find tell-tale changes in breast tissue years before symptoms develop.
BISSA is a sub-speciality group of the Radiological Society of South Africa.
“The goal of screening for breast cancer is to find the disease before it causes symptoms. Early breast cancer detection reduces deaths, extends life expectancy, and improves the quality of life for breast cancer patients.
“Early detection through mammography also means less extensive surgery, fewer mastectomies, and less frequent or aggressive chemotherapy.”
Also read: Know the facts about prostate cancer and get checked
She added that annual mammogram screening in women aged 40 to 49 is highly recommended due to the faster speed at which tumours double in size in this age group.
According to Smilg, regular screening was more likely to find breast cancers when they are small and still limited to the breast area, and that this was important for successful treatment and survival since the size and extent of the spread are crucial in predicting the outcome of a breast cancer diagnosis.
BISSA recommended women who carry the breast cancer gene or who have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child, maternal grandmother), diagnosed with breast cancer are considered higher risk and should begin annual screening five years before the age that their relative was diagnosed.
All women should regularly self-examine their breasts and women at average-to-mild risk should start having annual mammograms from age 40, regardless of whether they have any symptoms or have found any abnormalities.
The bottom line? A lump could turn out to be harmless but, regardless of age or a lack of family history of breast cancer, rather be safe than sorry – get it checked by a medical professional.
Follow us on our social media platforms:
