Brackenhurst Primary teacher survives breast cancer
She received the news that she was cancer free in 2016.
Dorothy Buitendag (50) who successfully fought her battle with breast cancer has become an inspiration to many. She received the news that she was cancer free in 2016.
In October 2015, things took a turn for the passionate intermediate phase teacher when she first felt a lump in her left breast.
She was diagnosed with HER2-positive type of cancer, an aggressive hormone related type of breast cancer.
“I remember sitting on my couch and for some reason I held my hand on my breast and I just felt a lump on my left breast. My gut feeling told me the lump was not supposed to be there. I then decided to do a mammogram and waiting for my results was the most stressful thing ever,” said Buitendag.
The Grade Five teacher who has taught for 26 years said upon receiving her results, she was officially diagnosed with cancer.
The results brought great shock to the mother of one. However, she was determined to fully recover over time.
“You can’t begin to explain the shock of that diagnosis, you go cold and a million thoughts run through your mind. Another colleague of mine who was a breast cancer survivor referred me to a breast cancer specialist who was helpful,” she said.
Her daughter was in Grade Nine that year and they even went on a vacation to France.
Procedure
To avoid the spread of cancer, she had to have the main gland of her lymph nodes removed in order to have it examined.
“This was done so that they would be able to find out whether the cancer was in the gland or not. Breast cancer normally starts in the breast and when it spreads it goes through other glands. God was good to me because my cancer was not in my glands. “Fortunately, we discovered it in its early stage,” said Buitendag.
In January 2016, she began her treatment and eventually had chemotherapy as a precaution and later had her radiation.
Buitendag considers herself fortunate after losing two of her closest friends to cancer.
A long but positive journey
The mother told the RECORD that during her journey, the school gave her some time off to focus on her treatment.
She also described the whole journey as a difficult experience which introduced a lot of changes to her lifestyle and her physique.
Despite her battle with cancer, she still saw a bigger picture in life and continued to stay positive.
She said her illness taught her to appreciate life more and consider every moment as a blessing.
“People tend to be so negative and complain about a lot of things. If you want to see positive people, go to a chemotherapy ward, those are the most positive people you’ll ever meet. They all sit with drips and yet they have hope for the future,” said Buitendag.
She also told the RECORD that she is forever grateful for the support she received from her family and friends who stood by her when she needed them the most.
