Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Toti resident turns to faith and family
The three-time cancer survivor tackles life with strong faith and a positive mindset, and continues to inspire others facing terminal illness.
ELAINE Trotter, a three-time cancer survivor, embodies resilience and hope, relying on faith, family and her motto, ‘This too shall pass’.
The 74-year-old was first diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in 2012 and had to have chemotherapy for six months.
“Hearing the words, ‘You have cancer’ was devastating; I thought my life was over. The first thing that I thought about was how I was going to break the news to my children and grandchildren,” she said.
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Trotter added that before seeking medical attention, she had noticed the changes in her body and suspected it to be cancer.
“It’s strange; you hear other people say, ‘Don’t wait, get tested’, but because of the fear, you put it on hold. Once I got the diagnosis, I knew my only option was to pull myself together and be strong for my family. I had to sit and process it all, and then I was okay,” she said.
Although she was fortunate the cancer was slow-growing, it had spread into her lymph nodes which meant she had to undergo chemotherapy on top of surgery.
“As a result, she developed neuropathy which is damage to the nerves which causes weakness, numbness and pain in her hands and feet,” said Trotter.
Despite going into remission, her cancer returned in 2017 and again in 2024, this time affecting her spine and pelvis.
“It was disappointing, and I thought ‘Here we go again’. But each time, I fight back with chemo tablets and estrogen-blocking injections. Cancer does not define me; I remain positive, draw strength from Jesus and my family, and live by the motto, ‘This too shall pass’,” said Trotter.
After retiring to put her health first, Trotter later found purpose working at Khanya Hospice where her experiences as a cancer survivor allowed her to empathise with others facing terminal illness.
In light of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she stresses the importance of early detection, encouraging both men and women to get checked.
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