René het onlangs ‘n paadjie met borskanker gestap. In hierdie video vertel sy vir ons van haar diagnose en hoe sy dit ervaar het.
(English: René was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. In this video she tells us about her diagnosis and how she experienced this process.)
English Translation of Video
Interview with René Immelman:
The Diagnosis
I’m René Immelman, I’m 56 and I’ve stayed here for a long time. I’m married, I have three children and all is well otherwise.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a malignant growth that arises in the breast tissue. Self-examinations of the breast, mammograms and sonars are the three methods that can assist with early detection.
The Diagnosis Continued
I found a lump in my left breast all of a sudden and I thought to myself, “but where were you yesterday and why didn’t I feel you yesterday?” I was visiting a friend and when I left I immediately went to the doctor. We then immediately sent for a mammogram and a sonar and the next day they did a biopsy. It was found to be malignant and I was then referred to a doctor at the Breast Care Centre at Milpark. They did another biopsy on the glands in my armpit and two weeks later the growth was removed. Further testing showed it was HER2-positive and that it was not hormone receptive.
Reaction to the Diagnosis
The first thought is the shock of it and the tears just flow freely. I thought, “This isn’t the reaction I wanted,” but I think your body reacts differently to what you do emotionally. So it was a shock but when you realise there is good treatment available to you, you realise you can’t just leave it and give up, you must do what you can. Your children might be out of the house but they still need you. We have wonderful treatment available here so we are very privileged.
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