A Second Chance: My Story of Hope, Faith, and Resilience

A few months ago, I lay in bed, telling my husband I could feel myself slipping away. I had colorectal cancer, and it was aggressive. It had spread to my uterus, pelvis, spine, and liver. After three months of chemotherapy and 28 rounds of radiation, there was no improvement—if anything, I was getting worse. My doctors told me there was nothing more they could do. I had stage 4 cancer, and I needed to get my affairs in order.

I was in unbearable pain, weak, and barely holding on. With severe side effects, my body was shutting down. But today, I am stronger than ever. My cancer markers dropped from 116 to just three. A tumour the size of an apple? Gone. Two small spots remain, but I am winning this fight.

At my lowest, I started preparing my family for life without me. But then, a friend led me to an oncologist who gave me hope. That hope turned into action, and that action saved my life.

It wasn’t easy. The treatment I needed—an immunotherapy drug that could specifically target my cancer—wasn’t approved in South Africa. Traditional chemo wasn’t working, and this drug was my only chance. My family and I fought relentlessly—petitioning, campaigning, and refusing to take no for an answer. After ten weeks of appeals, awareness campaigns, and a petition signed by thousands, we got the approval. That moment changed everything.

Now, I wake up at 4 a.m. to walk trails, play with my grandkids, and live fully. I recently completed a 9km hike and am preparing for the five-day Otter Trail. Yes, I still face side effects, but they are nothing compared to what I endured.

My message to you? Never stop fighting. If there is a way, find it. If there is hope, hold onto it. Life is fragile, but it is also beautiful. Let people in, make yourself vulnerable, and fight for every single moment.

Because I am here to tell you—it’s worth it.