My breast cancer journey started in October 2023, when I notice a sizable lump in my right breast.
I was at home on this specific day, taking a day off.
I then asked my husband to see if I may not be imagining myself, but he could feel the same.
With the commuting between Okahandja and Windhoek, I rarely had time to notice the difference in my body.
You wake up in the morning, hurriedly get ready for work. And in the afternoon, you arrive home and just continue with your tasks at home.
I then visited a breast cancer clinic organized by the Cancer Association of Namibia at Maerua Mall, and one of the nurses referred me to a doctor.
After the mammogram and sonar, my doctor sent me to the woman’s clinic at the Central hospital.
Dr Olivier did a biopsy that indicated that the lump was cancerous.
\The November in that same year, I was told to go the Bernard May clinic at the Central hospital to start with my chemotherapy.
But the doctors send me for a second biopsy.
The result came back, Cancer. All this happened in a space of 2 months.
I was supposed to start with my chemotherapy on the 24th of December, but I asked the doctors if I could maybe come back on the 27th, because I wanted to enjoy what I thought could be last Christmas meal since I did not know what side effects I could experience.
Chemotherapy was every 3 weeks, for about 8 sessions.
I did really feel anything at that point during the session, but looking back now, I realised that it had a huge toll on my body.
I was more tired and concentrated less.
And I started depending more on my husband.
I did not have medical aid, and the whole procedures were done at the state facilities.
My operation was on the 17th of June 2024.
I did not know what to expect.
I was booked with booked with a female doctor, but she got held up somewhere and 2 male doctors ended up doing my operation.
I laid in the waiting room for several hours waiting for my turn, and as I was laying there all these thoughts came to mind.
Maybe I should just cancel the whole thing, maybe this is a sign that I should not go ahead.
And it was quite emotional because your family is not allowed in this area.
I know that my husband was waiting outside.
When it was finally my turn, they pushed me in the operating room.
When I woke from the anaesthesia, all I could feel was pain and this uncomfortable pipes in my body that was draining the excess fluids.
But I had to vacate the bed and make space for the next person that must be prepared for an operation.
At 22h00 that night, I was transferred to Katutura hospital.
All I can remember is that it was very cold, my brain was still foggy and that I walked to the ambulance carrying my surgical drains.
And it was a bumpy drive.
I was told not to ‘Google’ or read too much on this and that I should be guided by the doctors.
If I can give some advice, read, read as much as you can! Especially if you must do this as a state patient.
Also go see someone to mentally and emotionally prepare you.
The government do not provide pre and post counselling on this whole thing.
One does not realize while going through this whole this how much your body is affected, so est every change you get.
When you have the operation, and you do not understand, ask questions.
We have the tendency to ‘not sound dumb’, so we keep quiet.
I am a wife to a wonderful husband; our 10th year anniversary is next year. And a mother of 2 daughters.
I had my 1st born when I was very young.
I had to go back to school to finish my grade 12.
I grew up in not very desirable circumstances, but I always told myself that my children will not be raised in the same.
So, I worked hard, end persevered with whatever challenges that came.
My daughters ae both graduates and currently employed.
Now I am busy with a qualification at the University of Namibia, and I enrolled for a degree in procurement for next year.
For women out there, please go for your regular check-ups.
Do you papsmeers and mammograms. Also touch your and feel your body every day.
Breast cancer is curable if detected early.
I am still in the recovery process.
In fact, I don’t think your body ever properly heals from such an operation.
You get through it with prayer and the support from your family and friends. Lean on your friends and your family. Let them carry some of the burden.
To the loved ones, don’t shy away.
Amanda Gaoses , Namibian Consultant Imagemakers Corporate Wear
