Glenda Barnes – (61) Breast Cancer Claimant
I never knew I would be a cancer patient (now survivor). It came as such a shock to me and to the rest of my family. However, they have all been there for me and I cannot not thank them enough.
I started feeling a lump under my arm, slightly on my breast, on 25 October 2016. I was a bit shocked, but I just had an urge to see what it was, especially when so many people are being diagnosed with cancer. I have never felt any pain before, hence the shock. I always try to live and eat healthily, with an occasional treat now and then. I went to the hospital the following day, 26 October, and I was referred for a biopsy and various other tests on 8 November. The following week I was advised of the results and that I had breast cancer.
I shared the news with my family and friends and they were all shocked. They never expected me to have cancer. To my surprise I was completely calm throughout it all. I never questioned God or blamed anyone. I was very strong!
On 25 November 2016 I was admitted to hospital to continue with surgery three days later. It was a huge success! I was so lucky to still have both my breasts as I was so afraid I would wake up to bad news, but everything went so well! My sons were all concerned and just wanted to make sure that I was fine. After surgery, I did not have any complications or illness. I was very happy. As long as the lump (little pest J) was removed.
Then the hardest part came along, the chemotherapy. I was so strong the entire time, until the side effects kicked in. I was very sick and everyone was worried about me. At first it started off well, then I had 3 more sessions and it was just terrible. I would not wish it on anyone, but we all know it’s necessary in order to get better.
On 3 January 2017, I had my first emotional breakdown. I was so strong throughout the entire process, but I just couldn’t hold it together anymore. I was so sad to see all my hair fall out, but now I can proudly say that I am in the process of being completely healed.
Just after the chemo I received my R4500 voucher and it was the perfect time. I could even be a blessing to my family and friends to say thank you. The payout from the claim was more than what I ever expected. I am just really happy and blessed to be alive.
Thank you Platinum Life for making this whole process more bearable.
Annetjie du Preez – (69) Bladder Cancer Claimant
My heart is filled with joy and thankfulness when I think about what Platinum Life has meant to me over the past two months.
I experienced a pressure on my bladder and my first thought was that my bladder had prolapsed. What was strange to me is that I never had any problems previously. I immediately made an appointment with the gynaecologist.
In the meantime I had been admitted to the hospital with tick bite fever, and was then referred to an urologist with regards to the pressure on my bladder. After running all the necessary tests, he informed me that I had cancer of the bladder.
I notified Platinum Life and they surpassed all of my expectations. I was spoiled on many occasions with gifts, which made me feel very special and sometimes this was the silver lining in my dark cloud!
Leandi contacts me regularly to find out how I am, and I cannot thank Platinum Life enough for all the concern and the spoiling during this difficult time in my life!
I am so grateful that I joined the Platinum Life family. I still pay my premiums and refer people to you daily!
Once again, thank you very much to Platinum Life for the support during my illness, you will never know how much it means to me!
Mimi Mantati – (45) Cervical Cancer Claimant
I Mimi Christinah Mantati would like to say thank you to the founder of Platinum Life.
Firstly I like to say I am lucky to be found by Platinum Life. I never knew that one day I will be in such situation.
I like to say thank you for policy money paid out to me, it has given me my life back in terms of paying some of the medical expenses
I like to say also I’m lucky to be a member of Platinum Life, I feel at home for the care, love, gifts given. It gives me hope when I receive a call from Platinum Life checking on how I am doing, that is a medication itself, and it heals a lot.
I wish every woman can be part of Platinum Life.
Tracey Brits – (48) Breast Cancer Claimant
I would just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Platinum Life for looking after my needs for the last 6 years. Many times I wanted to cancel the policy and the ladies I spoke to would convince me not to do so. How thankful I am for that. About three months before I was diagnosed I wanted to cancel the policy again because we had some financial problems, but the lady I spoke to convinced me not to do so. I continued with the policy not knowing that I already had cancer.
On 10 November 2016 I found a dimple on the side of my right breast and husband insisted that I go see the doctor first thing the next day. I was sent for a mammogram and an ultrasound which was done on 11 November 2016. I was immediately referred to the surgeon who did the biopsy and she confirmed that it was cancer. On Friday that same week the results came back and it was definitely breast cancer stage 4. I wasn’t really shocked because my husband and I had already resigned ourselves to the fact that I had breast cancer. My three girls were ok with it only because I was calm about it. My son-in-law on the other hand took it very hard. We are working through it as a family.
I went to see the plastic surgeon the following week to discuss the reconstruction of my breast after the removal of the tumour and also the reduction of my left breast. I was admitted to hospital on 7 December and the procedure was done. The cancer was unfortunately not just in my breast, but had spread to my lymph nodes under the right arm. They had to remove everything. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling at all. It was painful but at least I could move around a bit and get out of the bed. I also had a CT scan before going into surgery.
I was discharged from hospital on 13 December and went to see my oncologist. He had further bad news. The cancer had spread to my skeletal bones. At that stage it was only in one of my left ribs and my left hip. Within two weeks thereafter it had already spread to my other hip, four ribs on my left and three on my right, three vertebrae in lower back and two in the middle of my spine. The oncologist explained to me that my prognosis wasn’t very good but with aggressive chemo they might be able to stop the spread and try to get me into remission. Then eventually I would only have to take hormone tablets to suppress my estrogen, which is what was causing the tumors.
I received my first chemo treatment (known as the ‘red devil’) on 25 January 2017 and I will be receiving the same treatment every three weeks for three months. Afterwards I will be receiving a lower dose of chemo every week for three months. After that we are hoping that I will receive the hormone treatment.
My first treatment went well. It was not painful at all and up to this point I have had no nausea at all. I am taking four different pills to counteract nausea. My hair will be falling out within the next 2 weeks. I have resigned myself to having no hair and my family is quite okay with that. I opted not to wear a wig at all. For work I will be wearing head scarves.
I have a very big support group with my congregation, friends, family and now my extended family with Platinum. You ladies are absolutely fantastic and you are looking after me so well. Thank you for the lovely gift that I received. I was amazed by it, especially the scarf. I absolutely love scarves! My husband has named me Hilda (from 7de Laan) because of my scarf collection. I am definitely using my gift to the fullest.
I am attaching a pic of my hubby and myself on a boat cruise from the past weekend. He booked us into a spa for the weekend in Port Alfred and we then went on a boat cruise on the Kowie River. It was his treat to me before I start chemo and when I cannot enjoy going away anymore.
Many thanks yet again to the whole of Platinum Life for always being there for me.
Leh Steenkamp – (40) Breast Cancer Claimant
Around the first few days of June 2016 I started feeling sharp shooting pains in my right breast, two days later when examining my breast, I discovered there was a round nodule deep within.
Just to ease my mind (as no one in my family has breast cancer) I asked Dr Steytler to refer me to Burger Radiologists at Unitas Hospital to perform an ultrasound on me. They discovered something was there and that a mammogram should be done, they then proceeded to take a biopsy under local anesthetic. This was one of the most painful moments of my life. All these tests were done on a Friday.
So now all I could do was wait for the results, all the time believing it might just be a swollen gland, as there was no proper shape or blood vessels that were prominent.
Then Wednesday arrived and Dr Steytler called me to her rooms to inform me of their findings. It was indeed breast cancer and it was at Stage 2, but because of its rapid growth it needed to be removed immediately. One week later I had surgery – three weeks later chemotherapy started.
This consisted of 4 sessions of AC chemotherapy (red devil) and 12 weekly Taxol treatments. She explained that all my hair would fall out (I had long black hair) and that I would be extremely tired (I was a 5 times a day spinner at the gym)
I am raising 6 beautiful children between the ages of 5 and 19, of which 3 are my own little angels, who had to be explained to and consoled even though I could not do that for myself. So far I have completed all four AC chemotherapy sessions and 2 weeks from now I start my other 12 treatments. Life has become difficult emotionally for me, frightening for my children and tiring, but thanks to God I have an extremely strong support structure. My colleagues, my family, my friends and Platinum Life have made this terrible experience bearable.
Exactly one year prior, in June, I was offered the cancer policy with Platinum Life. With absolutely no belief in the possibility of ever getting cancer, I took the policy out anyway. It truly could only have been God knowing what lay ahead for me. The questions, “why, where and what”, can never be answered but the reason for the policy eventually made perfect sense.
Since the first email I sent to Platinum Life, they have done their utmost in assisting me through this terrible time. Within 2 weeks I was paid out R200 000, then 3 months later a perfect stranger bought me a gift box full of beautiful personal items. On my last AC chemo session I was contacted by Platinum Life again to double check whether I received my gift, as well as to inform me that I will also be receiving a R4000 Pick n Pay voucher.
Words cannot express how incredible my experience has been with Platinum Life. You have aided me throughout my journey and helped ease the discomfort of this disease.
For that I am truly thankful.
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