‘I made cancer suit my life, not the other way around’

Local resident Chantal Oosthuizen’s life was good.

She had a job that challenged her, a passion for travelling and the outdoors, and a loving family and committed partner. Just when she thought things couldn’t get any better, she was faced with an obstacle that could have changed everything.

One morning in October 2012 while Chantal was getting dressed, her hand brushed against her right breast and felt a lump of some sort. Guessing that it was just a swollen gland, she didn’t think much of it. But a month later, that one lump had become three. Realising the possible severity of the situation, Chantal went to a breast care clinic in Randburg where she received a sonar, mammogram and biopsy.

A week later her results were in. All the tests confirmed that she had breast cancer. And not just any sort of breast cancer either. She was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive type, called HER2-positive breast cancer.

“When I got my results, I was very relaxed. I have a strange way of dealing with things. I just knew that I had to do whatever it would take to get treated and eventually survive it. My doctor said to me that I could cry if I wanted and I just laughed and said there was nothing to cry about,” says Chantal.

Her oncologist, Dr Devan Moodley of Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Johannesburg, was straight and to the point. He had her information ready when she visited him and they sat down and discussed her symptoms, treatment options and the various side effects she may experience. “And then we just went for it!”

On 11 November 2012, Chantal went for a biopsy to remove three cancerous glands from under her arm and on 3 December, she started her chemotherapy treatments once every three weeks for two hours at a time. She also had to undergo a double mastectomy – she opted for immediate reconstruction, and would need to undergo a year of biological treatment.

“I just took control of the situation,” says Chantal.

“I was not going to be handled by cancer! I managed my cancer and made it suit my life. When my hair started falling out, I shaved it off. When I got sick, I got through it. It was a bumpy ride, but I came out the other side.”

Unfortunately for Chantal, she experienced some terrible side effects from the chemotherapy. Her gums bled and hurt, her bones ached all the time, she suffered terrible migraines and her nails fell off. Her teeth broke easily, she experienced nausea and nose bleeds, rashes that itched and numbness in her fingers. Her veins also took a beating.

“But in retrospect, it was easy.”

Her upbeat and take-no-prisoners attitude went a long way to helping her find the strength to get through her treatments. She also, thankfully, had an excellent support system.

“My friends were the best, as well as my boyfriend. He was there from day one and he is still there. My parents don’t live nearby so they tried to support me in every way they could, but it was difficult for them.”

After being diagnosed, Chantal’s life came to a complete halt. She was about to take a job in Dubai, but had to cancel it. She then had to stay in a job that required a lot from her.

“I couldn’t do anything. I had to wait. Wait for health, wait for sickness, wait for treatments, wait for bills, wait for everything.”

Life since treatment is slowly returning to normal for Chantal. She since has changed jobs, she’s growing her hair again, and paying off the bills. Soon, she can return to gym and the outdoors. Ultimately, she is happier and on track to becoming healthier.

“I’m becoming normal again. It’s super exciting!” Adding to this, she is in complete remission.

“Even though I’m clean, I still need to take biological treatment for a year to ensure that the cancer does not come back. But I am doing great. The cuts are healed and I have scars, but only on my skin. Not on my soul.

“I know my story is similar to many others, but I want women who are diagnosed with breast cancer to know and believe they are stronger than they realise. I’m not unique. Anyone can be affected by cancer one way or another, but it’s your reaction and access to correct information about treatments that can make a huge difference.”

This is why Chantal has joined the Be Cancer Aware’s breast cancer initiative called Think Beyond Pink.

For more information about breast cancer and Chantal, visit www.becanceraware.co.za or visit Be Cancer Aware on facebook.