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Meet the Amabele Belles (stories added as I receive them)
| Sharon Kidd's Story
My first question was, would I live until Monday because as I had trained so hard for the Argus cycle tour I'd like to do that and have the mastectomy on Monday. The other thing that went through my mind was that if I were to die soon I wouldn't see either of my daughters become brides. I remember leaving the surgery and crying all the way home. With hindsight I wished that I had taken someone with me to hear the results. I completed the cycle tour, not as fast as I would have liked, but as it was the first time, I was pleased to finish. I decided against having a reconstruction straight away. My family and new boyfriend (now my husband, we got married in March 2003) were incredibly supportive, but I think what helped the most was that somehow we all made a point of getting on with our lives. After the operation I was so groggy that I didn't really dwell on what had been done, though there were times in the early days when I felt sad as I had always enjoyed doing the topless thing. On completion of surgery I was referred to Groote Schuur Hospital for six months of chemotherapy and five weeks of radiation therapy. My hair fell out after the first month of treatment. This posed a bit of a challenge, but eventually I opted not to use a wig or a turban. I have subsequently had breast reconstruction, and now have been clear of cancer for 6 years. I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years and that together with very little exercise has resulted in me putting on a few extra lovable curves. I have survived! The whole experience has been one of growth for me. Now, here I am, a member of The Amabele Belles with a whole lot of new friends and a new sport. Birthday: 17/02/54
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After getting divorced in 1999 I took up cycling as I had started a full time job and no longer went to gym 5 days a week. It was the Wednesday before the 2000 Argus cycle tour, when I went to my GP to get a painkiller for my ankle, as I had twisted it and was determined to cycle. While I was there I asked him to take a look at my left breast, as there was a slight indentation in the nipple, as well as some dimpling of the surrounding skin. He examined me and without hesitation told me I should see a surgeon immediately. The surgeon did an aspiration. The following day I went back to the surgery to get the results. The verdict was cancer and that the best way of treating it was to remove the breast. I was offered a time for the following day, Friday.
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Jenny Heunis (Ener-jenny)
Reassured that all was well I moved on with my life. As an Ex Western Province swimmer and biathlete, my health has always been my top priority. I was swimming with Brian Button three times a week and going to gym on a regular basis. In December 2000 after taking a group of students on a hike at Gordons Bay I noticed that my left nipple was inverted. My neighbour is a Professor of Gynaecology and Obstetrics and I asked her what she thought. She directed me to Constantiaberg Clinic. The Doctor was quite businesslike. He took a biopsy and told me to wait three days - the longest of my life. He then called me in and told me the results were negative, but that he disagreed, and that I had breast cancer. The pathologists said I was too young for breast cancer. The next stage was a cross-section of my breast. This was done under local anaesthetic as the doctor said he would have to do a mastectomy. I kept thinking and praying that the pathologists were right. - I was too YOUNG to have breast cancer. The doctor phoned me the next day to confirm that I had breast cancer. It was a surreal experience; I kind of floated around as though I was in slow motion. The doctor said he would do a mastectomy in the New Year - I said no I wanted it NOW and on the 20 December I went in. The tumour was 6 cm and all my nodes under my arm were infected - which meant that the cancer had spread. I then had to have 6 sessions of chemo. I was lucky that the school that I worked at arranged a terms leave for me. I soon realized that although I wanted to know what was happening to my body, I did not want to know or hear negative things. I soon lost my hair which initially was scary and this prompted me to see a therapist and after four sessions I was fine and my sense of humour had returned. I suffered extreme fatigue and everything tasted yuk after chemo. I had the most amazing collection of beanies and bandanas. When I went back to school I impressed my students each day with them. Then I had to face being 'micro waved' by radiation 25 sessions of chemo - 5 weeks. The nurses in the oncology department were angels and their help and love throughout the whole process was phenomenal. In December 2001 I had reconstructive surgery. I had the TRAMFLAP operation. This is where your stomach forms a new breast. I had a 7 hour op and came out with a flat tummy and a new breast. I could wear flimsy tops again! In December 2003 after a routine check up, a very small tumour was picked up in my right breast. Thank goodness I did not have to have chemo again. I had my second mastectomy and immediate reconstruction done. I pride myself in never being sick from work and all three of my operations have been in the school holidays. My humour, my faith and the immeasurable support from my mother, my sister and her family and my gynaecologist neighbour Zephne are my core survival pillars. Without these people, without their love and care, I would never have made it. My little dachshund - Lotti - who since has had to be put down - stuck by my side throughout the nausea with chemo and the burns from radiation.
I go regularly for my check ups and each time is a stressful time. My doctor told me when I was diagnosed that he had seen people in my situation both live and die. I chose to live. And it is a good life. |
I was 34 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The diagnosis almost did not happen. When I visited the gynaecologist in April 2000 I was told by him that all women my age have lumpy breasts. At that stage I could not put my arm next to my body when I lay in the bath because of the mass in my breast. I taught at a High School in Cape Town where the staff was always fighting and my job was terribly negative and draining.
My entire life has changed because of this cancer. I am stronger, calmer, more centred, my sense of humour has surfaced, I distance myself from negative people and I am more positive. I have faced real things, spoken in front of groups, spoken on the radio, done a 5 day cycle trip through the Swartberg Pass (Retha Olivier did the cycle trip as well), learnt more about who I am and what I am capable of.
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Eileen van Helden
I tried life as a blonde in my new wig, but didn't have that much more fun, so decided to stick with homeboy hats and scarves for comfort. Just when the ride was going smoothly, I had a dangerous infection in the port, which led to lung problems, so had surgery again to remove the port. It had made me feel bionic, and seriously restricted my summer wardrobe, so I was glad to see it go. From being perfectly happy to donate blood at any time for my own research, I became totally needle-shy. I have now almost finished a year on Herceptin, and hope it lives up to its hype. I hate the expression "fighting against cancer". We all do our best, but in the end it comes down to luck. Apart from my family (hubby, two kids just left the nest), my science, and now dragonboating, my passions are hiking and conservation, and I'm an Honorary Ranger for SANParks. Being out in nature puts everything in the right perspective, and at long last I feel as though I have some energy. This last year or two has taught me a lot - that with love and support one can get used to almost anything - even wearing pink. |
I'm a molecular biologist in Biomedical Sciences, Stellenbosch University. We work on finding the genes that make some people more susceptible to tuberculosis - a big problem in the Western Cape. I was just wrapping up a major project in September 2004 when I noticed a lump and had it checked out. It still didn't show up on the mammogram, but the radiologist doing the ultrasound said "this doesn't look benign!". I was convinced he had to be wrong. My life will always be divided into before and after the breast cancer diagnosis. It was of course a huge shock, as I had no real risk factors and had always thought of myself as very healthy. On the same day I had the surgeon phone me at work to say that the biopsy was malignant, and thirty minutes later, the vice-dean came to tell me that I had been made associate professor. It felt quite surreal. I put off surgery for 5 days so I could go to my son's 21st. My daughter bought me waterproof mascara for the occasion, but I had a great party. Then started the roller-coaster ride of mastectomy, 6 months of chemotherapy, surgery to put in a port, and 5 weeks of radiation.
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Michele Kruger
A month before completing my second 'Voet van Afrika' marathon in October 2002 I discovered a lump in my right breast. I made a appointment so see the doctor and he immediately sent me off to have a mammogram and ultrasound as well as setting up an appointment for me to see a surgeon at Constantiaberg. The mammogram and ultrasound were not definitive but it was thought that the lump was a 'fibrous adenoma', and the surgeon agreed. He was also happy for me to complete my marathon and then book to have a lumpectomy as soon as possible thereafter, which I did. Even after the surgery he seemed quite sure that there was nothing untoward but would phone me if necessary. Unfortunately I got the dreaded call to say that it was malignant and that I would have to have further surgery as well as chemotherapy. I had a right breast mastectomy at the end of October and started my chemotherapy at the end of November. I was fortunate to only need 4 sessions of chemotherapy and did not have to have radiation. The cancer was a grade II and was 'estrogen dependent'. I was also very fortunate that none of the lymph nodes removed were malignant. I have to say that initially I was rather devastated at losing my breast as I have always been a very athletic, physical person and not being able to run around in shorts and a crop top distressed me. I have since moved on and am really thankful that I found the lump in time and feel very confident that the cancer has been removed and once I had a breast reconstruction I'm almost back to my old self. I kept up my running in between treatments and reconstruction operations and it definitely kept me positive and better equipped to handle the awful drugs they pour into your veins and being running fit to start with was another huge positive. Losing my hair was another issue I struggled to deal with initially but I organized a wig which was so similar to my own hair that no one really noticed unless I said something. My family and my partner of 13 years, who is now my husband since April this year, were very supportive and helped me to stay positive at all times. Initially I was quite worried about telling my parents as we lost my youngest brother in 1999, but they were very positive that I would overcome this 'little hurdle' in my life and they were right. I have two daughters who are 19 and 21 and at the time and I did not want them to feel they could lose me so this made stay focused on being positive and not negative at all times. I am a committed runner and have been running for 18 years. In that time I have completed 3 Comrades (89km), 2 whilst living in Durban in 1995 and 2000 and 1 this year, as well as 8 Two Oceans (56km) and numerous marathons. I love running and will always run as it is daily medicine my soul needs to stay alive. I also played league hockey for 30 years with my first club league game while I was still in matric in 1972, missing only two seasons in that time to have two babies and then finally hanging up my boots in 2002. I am a 'read-aholic' and am passionate about books. I have started my own library at home as well as belonging to 2 book-clubs. I first heard about 'Dragon Boat Racing' when a friend of mine leant me a book written by one of the Canadian Breast Cancer Survivor Teams called 'Dragons Abreast'. One of the team members, Akky Mansikka, came to Cape Town and brought the book with her which she gave to my friend as a present. I found the book very inspiring and thought how fortunate they were to have each other. I cannot now believe how fortunate I am to be part of a similar team in Cape Town and I would like to thank everyone who was involved in putting it all together and especially to Pam who gives of her time willingly to coach us. Three cheers for our team 'Amabele Belles' and may we conquer our dragons as well as the teams we participant against. |
I work for a software house and we sell software that is allied to the clothing industry – I am the link between the customer and the programmers for software modifications and problems, as well as being involved in new implementations and training. Before this I used to lecture on commercial products like Microsoft Excel, Word and Project
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Kelee Arrowsmith
Of course there were the obligatory unexpected bumps along the way - the last minute postponement of the operation due to the fact that I had Graves Disease, which meant that I could not have anesthetic with my T4 so high. A course of Lugol's Iodine brought it low enough for anesthetics to be safe and the ride continued. The physical treatment (torture) is similar in most breast cancer cases, just the details vary somewhat. You feel fine, discover that you have cancer and they make you sick with their treatment. What I find most interesting about this ride is my mind shift over the past months. After the operation, all I (frantically) wanted was for my life to go back to "normal". Operation on the 22nd, back to work on the 3rd, chemo on Friday, rest on the weekend and back to work on Monday… but around about the 4th chemo treatment, that began to change. I am not sure why or how, but now all I want is for my life to NOT be the same. I want to eat the pudding first and not have to try and save space for it.
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I was diagnosed with breast cancer on the 8th of December 2005 and had a lumpectomy on the 22nd of December. The surgeon also removed 22 nodes from under my arm, 4 of which were cancerous. It was almost as if I had inadvertently hopped onto a roller coaster; from a perfectly normal (well, normal for me) life, where I made decisions on a daily basis, to a very fast downhill ride where all my decisions seem to have been made based on oncology experience over the past years. And there was no way to get off.
Dragon boating has been and continues to be a wonderful experience. We are all in the same boat (uggg, sorry) so we understand. We are there to enjoy the workout and each other's company, and to win in Singapore! I am motivated by all the pink ladies who come to the workouts, no matter what the weather or how ill they feel and I am especially grateful to Pam for all her hard work and dedication. I am looking forward to meeting all the other breast cancer survivors from around the world and competing against them in the years to come.
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Wendy Scurr -The Amabele Belles Chairlady's Story
Juggling what seemed like a whirlwind of visits in and out of doctors' waiting rooms while tying up as many ends as I could at work, I found myself recovering from Mastectomy no 1. I had been diagnosed with aggressive stage 3 breast cancer. A few days before Christmas I started the dreaded chemotheraphy. 5 months later I finished the course and we took a well deserved holiday. While away, the man of my dreams, Mike, proposed to me. I was elated and came back home ready to face the dragon once more. I received radiation therapy and while lying dead still for those endless minutes, started planning my wedding. We were married in December 2004 and the picture that had helped carry me through the previous months came true in a very special ceremony held in the Tokai Stone Chapel. I was pronounced fit and healthy and went back to work fulltime in 2005. I enjoyed being back at work and another year came and went and 2006 began. After my annual scans in April 2006, my oncologist expressed some concern over micro-calcifications that the mammogram showed. After a 2nd opinion by my surgeon, I elected to have mastectomy no 2. I recovered quickly - the op was a "walk in the park" as I knew exactly what was coming my way. Unexpectedly a few days later, the tests results revealed a small tumour which had not showed up on any tests. I "knew" that I would need chemotherapy again. Perhaps it is a good thing that the mind blocks out the bad memories because as I write this I have just made the halfway mark in the treatment. I have found it really difficult to get my mind around having to go for treatment each time. It is not pleasant at all and my life seems to be dictated by a series of needles. I look forward to the end of October when the last drip would have been administered. How did I get to be Chairlady of the Amabele Belles? Strange how things work out, but a short while before I knew about my 2nd op, a friend invited me to come and try dragonboat racing. I became hooked and when I found myself in hospital and undergoing treatment again I also found myself hooked up with the most amazing group of women all of whom have come to mean so much to me. While the group was still small, I was nominated to be chairlady and I nervously agreed. 4 months on, I have found such fulfillment in working with such a wonderful committee. The support and love that the Amabele Belles give is something that most people can only dream about and never experience. What a privilege to work with such an amazing group of fighters. I end by thanking our coach, Pam for her dream - to have a S.A. Breast Cancer Survivors Dragonboat Racing Team. Without her, we would all be so much the poorer in so many ways. |
My story is a rollercoaster ride with my illness personified as a dragon that I have come to learn to live with. As a deputy principal of a primary school, November 2003 brought with it one end-of-year deadline after the next. I didn't have time to investigate a pain in my armpit and besides, I had just met the man of my life and was nurturing a very special relationship. After a surprise 40th birthday celebration for his varsity dorm mate, I found myself in the lounge of my GP. Imagine the surprise on his face when he found one of his patients in his home!! This was one of the many co-incidences that have shaped the last 3 years into what I can only describe as a specially designed path that I was chosen to walk.
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Karen Shean
October 2004: There I was a 46 years old nurse, minding my own business doing my thing, the best way I knew how, stressed out, no time for exercise or my family, working every night and over weekends. The last 23 months since I was diagnosed have been a roller coaster, a blur of biopsies, operations, blood tests and Doctor's visits. Powerlessness, loss of control - that's what it is - trying to keep going, keep it all together and to find the funny side in things. My first thought on diagnosis was thank goodness my children are older; my daughter was preparing to write her matriculation and my son his second year chemical engineering exams, how's that for good timing! I had chemotherapy; I lost my hair, on occasion my food (down the toilet) and sometimes my sense of humour. I dropped my white cell count and landed up back in hospital with pneumonia. My chemo dose was reduced. (I still can't see one of those chemo room cheese + tomato lunchtime sandwiches without feeling sick). It was only after I had finished my radiation that I found out I was HER2 positive and would need Herceptin for a year. One of the hardest things was waiting for authorisation to get this drug - wondering what it would take to get it - would we have to sell our house? Luckily my medical aid paid for it. I had a second prophylactic mastectomy and am undergoing breast reconstruction. The re-construction was a difficult decision, was I ready for more surgery, pain and discomfort but am really glad I decided on it and am like an excited adolescent schoolgirl going through puberty!! What now? How do I think of the cancer? How do I address it, I have breast cancer or maybe I've had had breast cancer - that sounds better, but maybe it will come back. When can one speak about it in past tense - is it after 2 years, 5years, 20 years or will it linger as a constant reminder every time I have an ache or a pain and wonder if its back? Things happen for a reason, something like this makes one re examine their lives. Live life to the full, live for the moment and all that. Then came the positive things like the dragon boating where I met people who were in the same boat as me (literally and figuratively). |
I have given a lot of thought to this my cancer journey. It took me a long time before I could even say that word as related to me, I still rather say my illness, or when I was sick.
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Nan White
Joining the Amabele Belles has been great fun and I am delighted to know such a fantastic group of women. Thanks to you all, to Pam for her passion and care and to the non-cancer paddlers who join us with such dedication, I say thank you. The most important thing I learnt from my cancer experience was to embrace every day as if it were the most important day so far, I just need to remind myself of this every now and then when I forget how much fun life is. |
I found out that I had cancer in 1995. My husband found the lump while feeling frisky one evening, I just knew it was cancer and that I would be fine. By ten the next morning I had seen my gynae who had taken me by the hand to see a surgeon who immedietly did a biopsy. That was a Monday,I heard on Tuesday afternoon that I had cancer and arranged to have a mastectomy on Thursday. That left me one day to organise lifts for my two children to and from school and to buy my poor husband a birthday present. As soon as I could I started to write down my thoughts and the first thing I wrote was to be careful what you wish for as I had always wanted to have a breast reduction. While cancer would not have been my first choice I do now have a lovely chest.I found that humour was my best way of coping with such a huge event in my life. My first thought however the instant I heard "You have got cancer" was to think I am so glad I am not hearing this about my husband or my children.The support of incredible family,friends and doctors is so important and I was extremely blessed to have so many wonderful people around me offering love and care.
| Eldre Strydom
The facts I was 31 years old when I got cancer. It was on a Wednesday, 15 December 2004 to be precise, when my life changed forever. Things happened fast after that and that following year (2005) saw me going from lumpectomy and removal of my lymph nodes, chemotherapy, radiation, herceptin for a year to zoladex for the next 4 to 5 years. The emotions During that first year all I had capacity for was getting my body through the treatments and as a result I completely shifted all the emotional stuff to the side. I just could not deal with that on top of everything else as well. So, come second year (2006), I thought I could just go back to being and feeling normal again and pick up my life where we left it the year before I got diagnosed. Big mistake. My whole world came crashing down on me as I started realising that life would never be the same again. The biggest realisation was that we might never have children and till this day, that's the most difficult part for me. Not knowing and being on hold. At 34 I'm still receiving hormone therapy (zoladex) each month and will do so for approximately the next 3 years. Our friends are all having children now and last year my 3 best friends all fell pregnant and had babies round about the same time. It was devastating to be part of their joy and my own sorrow. I just couldn't be there for them as they wanted me to be and they couldn't be there for me. As a result the friendships suffered. I've been on an extensive journey to find the answers to all of my questions, such as, Why I got cancer? What lessons did I have to learn out of my experience? What I needed to change in my life to never get it again. I was not willing to accept that the cancer was a random occurrence and that I did not take some significance out of it. It's too big for me not to. Dragonboating What a ride it's been! When I heard of this group of breast cancer survivors (conquerors) I just knew that this was an experience that I did not want to loose out on. I was a bit apprehensive at first because I've never been very sporty and as a teenager I wasn't one of the cool netball players who got to be friends with all the popular rugby players in the school. I didn't seem to excel at any sport and eventually gave it all up - being an all or nothing girl. So, what a surprise to find out that although I might not have any ball sense what so ever, that I'm pretty good at paddling! I absolutely love the feeling of freedom and peace that I experience on the water. But it's also a team sport and the knowledge that we all share the same experience of being tired, driving ourselves past the point where we ever thought we could go and tasting victory - wow, that invigorates me! I have enjoyed every single moment with this remarkable group of women and the fighting courage and spirit they embody. What do I know now that I did not know before cancer? I know now how important my husband, family and friends are. No person is an island and we cannot exist on our own. I live because of them, for them and thanks to them. I would not be the person who I am today without them and what they teach me about life and myself. I know now that I come first and that if I'm not healthy and happy, I cannot make anybody else happy. I've learned to love myself and accept myself for the whole me, past and present. I value my health and am more connected to me than I've ever been. I look after the physical and emotional me. I exercise, eat healthy and take care of myself. I know now that I married the best partner for me in the whole wide world. I appreciate the role he plays in my life, the way in which he challenges me and bring out the best and worst in me. I appreciate it that he loves me completely and that he stood by me when it could not have been easy. He's my soul mate and my hero. I know now when to say "So what". I don't allow stress to take the better of me. I handle it much better and have realised that very few things in life are worth the stress. I know now that I had to get cancer to learn all these valuable lessons. I've learned to forgive, to let go, to love myself, to value life and all my blessings. I know now that a life without lessons is not worth living. For it is after our darkest hour that we see the learning and appreciate the value of it. It's made me a better person. I've grown as a human being and can make a much better contribution to this world and it's people than before. I have more to give than I ever had. I realised that I have a gift to see the good in all people and a wanting to contribute positively to their lives. I once met a lady that said she's glad that she got cancer and that it was the best thing that ever happened to her. I could see the incredible journey, self-knowledge, courage and growth it must've taken her to come to that conclusion and I knew that's where I wanted to be - to be able to have faced all your fears and dragons and come out victorious. Now that's something. And I'm finally there after 2 years, 4 months, 2 weeks and 4 days. I am no longer just another breath of life, living an insignificant life. I have an important contribution to make, I have lessons to learn, things to do. I have to live for better or for worse. Some people never learn these truths, some people learn it from a divorce or an accident, some people might know this without anything having to happen to them. I had to get cancer to learn this. |
It took me almost 1 year (the club just turned 1) to write my story. I think the reason being that I wanted to be truthful to myself and everyone reading it. I have a strong need to look back over my journey with cancer and see the golden thread of learning and growth. And only now I can truly say I am there. I have come full circle.
| Pam Newby, Founder & Coach
I have been deeply involved with dragonboating ever since entering a fun regatta between running clubs in 1995. I have been fortunate to participate in numerous World Championships and Internationals in Europe and the Far East.
I find being involved with such wonderful lovely ladies, my amaBele Belles, a very enriching experience and I am so delighted that by pulling together, the Belles managed to raise the funds to make it affordable for the team to go to the 1st BCS World Champs in Singapore. There they experienced the incredible strength, friendship, support and exuberance for life that binds Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon-boaters world-wide. May this be just the first of many trips we make together. I was born in British Somaliland 18th November - never mind which year, and grew up in England, Tanganyika, England, Malawi, England, New Zealand, and finally South Africa (Natal). I am a web master and computer literacy teacher, prior to this I lectured Zoology at university for 5 years and taught matric Biology for 9 years . I have B.Sc., Hons., M.Sc. (Zoology)(Natal). My Masters thesis was on cavernicolous microchiropteran behaviour & reproduction. (ie bats!). Sadly, I am divorced. |
It was at the Club Crew World Champs in Rome where I was helming for the SA premier open and mixed teams that I first encountered "pink ladies". There were several BCS teams including a particularly extrovert friendly group of Aussies from Adelaide, Dragons Abreast! Their helm (sweep) Vicky had had a hysterectomy (on top of everything else) only a month before and here she was trying to helm! At times this brave lady couldn't even stand, so I was asked to help out by helming for her team. This brought both teams very close and I promised on parting that I would start a BCS team back home in South Africa.
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Adi Wait
When the Amabelles started my mom had just passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurism. I went on 3 weeks leave and when I got back decided that I needed something to keep me occupied and joined the Belles. Originally it was just to help get the team together, but after a couple of sessions I did not want to stop and if you knew me well, you would know that I am not a physical person. I have not done any excersise in 23 years! The incredible support and vibe in this team has helped me more than I ever thought it would in coping with my mother's death. I feel that I belong and I was very grateful when told that I could stay with the team. I am married 16 years to Requier and have 2 boys, ages 14 and 12. The Belles are the most amazing lot of women I have ever had the pleasure to meet and I am very proud to be a part of this team. |
I am not a cancer patient, although I work as medical secretary for GVI Oncology at Vincent Palotti in Pinelands.
Amabele Belles for whom I have pictures but no stories yet, come on girls!
 Caroline |  Solvej |  Ina |  Ingrid |  Jacky |
 Jeanette |  Juanita |  Judy & Belle |  Liz |  Lorette |
 Michelle |  Minette |  Nerine |  Nicky |  Ritha |
 Annie (supporter) |
 Sandra (supporter) |