When Life Throws the Unexpected
Just before the world shifted under the weight of COVID-19, Ida Chibweza was navigating a busy life as an Executive Personal Assistant at Platinum Health Medical Scheme, balancing her career, a budding relationship, and dreams of marriage and motherhood.
Then came a diagnosis that would change everything: breast cancer.
“Cancer was the furthest thing from my mind,” Ida recalls, remembering the day she first discovered a lump in her right breast. She had initially participated in a free mammogram offered by Pink Drive, only to be reassured that everything was normal. Yet unease lingered. Over the following year, she noticed troubling signs—dimpling, scaling, and changes that prompted further investigation.
The Road to Diagnosis
A visit to a breast density clinic in Midrand brought an ultrasound and a biopsy recommendation. With limited finances, Ida turned to Tembisa Hospital, where supportive staff guided her through the daunting process. After a nerve-wracking two-week wait, the results were inconclusive, leading to an excision biopsy.
“I just broke down and cried when I finally heard the verdict: cancer,” she shares. “The minute they tell you that you’ve got cancer—the C-word—you start seeing yourself dying. It feels as if your entire life crumbles before you.”
Facing the disease largely alone, with family abroad, Ida had to summon inner strength to navigate this life-altering reality.
A Gruelling Treatment Journey
Treatment began at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, following a plan that included a total mastectomy, 12 rounds of chemotherapy, 35 radiation sessions, and 10 years of hormone therapy. Over three years, Ida endured 13 surgeries, including reconstructive procedures made possible through her medical aid—something not typically offered in state hospitals.
“The reconstruction helped me regain my confidence and self-esteem,” she says, acknowledging the emotional toll of coping with the physical changes after surgery.
Ida candidly reflects on her fear of returning to the dating world with a flat chest and a deformed breast, and how reconstruction helped restore a sense of normalcy.
Finding Strength and Hope
Support extended beyond finances. Through regular oncologist visits and mental health guidance, Ida navigated the emotional rollercoaster of her illness.
“I had to stay positive. Even though my dreams of starting a family were dashed due to my hysterectomy, I focused on what I could control,” she shares. “It was easy to succumb to hopelessness, but I chose to keep pushing.”
She highlights how engaging in everyday joys, shopping, reading, running, and focusing on work—helped her reclaim mental and emotional balance.
“Cancer doesn’t discriminate; anyone can be affected, regardless of family history. Women must educate themselves about the signs of breast cancer and strive to secure medical aid for timely treatment,” Ida advises.
Lessons from a Survivor
Ida Chibweza’s journey is a testament to resilience, courage, and self-empowerment. From the shock of diagnosis to the arduous road of treatment and reconstruction, she found strength she didn’t know she had and emerged with a renewed perspective on life.
Her story resonates with South African women navigating similar battles, underscoring the importance of early detection, mental health support, and financial preparedness for healthcare.
“It’s about taking control where you can, seeking help, and finding moments of joy in the everyday. Cancer may change your life, but it doesn’t have to define it,” Ida concludes.
Source: IOL
Featured Image: X{@GDNonline}
