Western Extension cancer survivor has a large respect for life
She advised women to go for pap smears and mammograms as they are very important, as this disease does not choose a specific age.
“I am not going to let this beat me,” were the words of cancer survivor Amanda Beukes after she was diagnosed with cancer of the vagina in December 2019 and went through treatment at the peak of the pandemic.
The Western Extension resident had health issues for years and had a hysterectomy in 2008, which was the tip of the iceberg of what she was about to go through.
Six months after the procedure, her pap smear results showed atypical cells (these are the most common abnormal findings in a pap test, which may be a sign of infection). Through the years she tried multiple treatments to get rid of the cells and nothing worked.
In October 2019 after years of treatments, her pap smear results came back normal but an internal examination proved that not to be true as a lump was discovered and after a biopsy, it was found to be cancerous.
An emotional Amanda explained the news was hard for her and her family.
“It had been hard for my husband as it was emotionally draining, but I would not have been able to make it without my husband and the support system of the ladies in chemo treatment.”
The radiation oncologist prepared her for the radiation and due to the position of cancer, a colostomy bag was implanted as they feared the radiation would burn a hole through her rectum.
“I started with radiation and chemotherapy in February 2020, and the treatment was exhausting,” she said.
“But I was grateful for the lockdown as all the roads were clear and I was able to get to the places of treatment in no time.
“It also hurt us financially; however, my biggest fear was Covid-19, as chemotherapy damages immune cells and getting the virus with no immune system is dangerous.”
Through all the harsh treatment, her radiation oncologist suggested she include hyperthermia treatment (a non-invasive method of increasing tumour temperature to stimulate blood flow, increase oxygenation and render tumour cells more sensitive to radiation).
She described the experience as the spa treatment of cancer treatment as she had no side effects.
After all the treatment, her immune count has improved and she is back at school, teaching.
She advised women to go for pap smears and mammograms as they are very important, as this disease does not choose a specific age.
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