Stories from the ground: A mother’s journey towards beating breast cancer

My name is Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka, a 41-year-old breast cancer survivor. 

I am a wife and a mother to two highly energetic boys. I am a journalist by profession who has ventured into communications and management. 

I want people to know that there is hope: breast cancer can be treated if it is detected early. 

Unwelcomed intrusion

I have been living my life normally as a hard-working and energetic woman who juggles between a demanding job and my spiritual calling.

In September 2023 I felt a lump in my left breast. I immediately consulted my general practitioner (GP) who referred me for further investigation through a mammogram (X-ray of the breast).

Upon receiving the mammogram results, the GP referred me to an oncologist who referred me for further tests that included a biopsy and CT Scan (a medical technique used to obtain detailed internal images of the body).

It was discovered that the lump in my breast was malignant, metastatic and fast-growing. I was diagnosed as having aggressive cancer that had the potential to spread very fast.

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I was shocked, scared and very emotional. I was shocked because there was no history of cancer in my family.  

My fear was whether the cancer had spread to other parts of my body. And if I would die. I was scared because I was informed that my cancer was fast-growing and aggressive. Every moment was critical. 

I had a fear of losing my life and leaving my kids. However, it is the same fear that gave me strength and determination to fight. 

Learning more about breast cancer

After the shock, I had to pause and the first step towards recovery was to accept the diagnosis. I invested my time and energy in investigating and researching breast cancer to empower myself. 

I investigated the type of tests performed, their reliability, and the percentage of recovery when it comes to fast-growing aggressive cancer. 

Fortunately, I was referred to an internationally renowned oncologist and specialist surgeon. After they discussed my treatment plan, I felt a sigh of relief and I had hope. I listened attentively to my doctors and trusted them with my life.

I absorbed every bit of information they shared. I was present in my recovery. I carefully selected people who would walk the journey with me. I informed them at various stages of my journey up until I was ready to fully disclose.

Upon diagnosis, I immediately disclosed this to my employer and my immediate colleagues. I chose to disclose because I wanted the employer to understand what I was going through and to support me, but it was not an easy journey. 

My cancer journey in the workplace is still a sensitive matter that I’m not yet ready to share. It brings back mixed emotions. At one stage I had to tell myself that the cancer was not in my brain but in my breast.

Breast cancer can be defeated

I was on chemotherapy for six months from 2 October 2023. This was the most challenging moment for me because I had to go through intense chemotherapy.  

At the time I could not share my journey with my kids. My children would see changes in me, I was weak and my appearance was changing. They would ask questions but I could not tell them.  

I only disclosed after they finished writing their final exams in December 2023. To my surprise, they were very understanding and supportive. 

I felt bad because I realised that I delayed my support. They just needed assurance that I would always be there for them. However, as a precautionary measure, I arranged therapy for them. 

In April 2024, I went for a lumpectomy (surgery to remove cancer tissues from the breast). The surgery went well and I could not believe it when I was told that I had defeated cancer. Even though this was good news, I started radiation treatment for the whole month of June. I’m currently finishing my last few doses of chemotherapy.  

To a person who has just been diagnosed with breast cancer, accept what you can’t change and stay focussed on your treatment. 

Breast cancer can be defeated. But I’m not celebrating having defeated cancer. My thoughts are with the men and women who are still battling the disease. I encourage all women to screen annually. Early detection can lead to effective treatment and a positive prognosis. – Health-e News 

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  • Health-e News

    Health-e News is South Africa's dedicated health news service and home to OurHealth citizen journalism. Follow us on Twitter @HealtheNews

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