Samantha Jankovich of Aberdeen is an inspiration to all those who know her for her positive attitude and determination to overcome the disease dreaded by all women, breast cancer. She started a blog (a sort of diary on the internet) to keep her widely-scattered friends and family informed of what was happening to her, and this blog has been picked up by a local vitamin and supplement manufacturer and runs on their website, www.bioharmony.co.za, under the title “Hair today, gone…”. The blog describes her experiences, and is laced with pithy humour – her not-very-flattering opinion of the Groote Schuur coffee is that “based on the strength of the swill, I would imagine they use one bean wrapped in an old sock, per day, for the entire hospital”!Samantha found the lump in her breast in September last year, and saw her doctor in Aberdeen within a few days. The doctor was concerned and referred Samantha to the Breast Clinic at Groote Schuur in Cape Town. Tests confirmed a malignant tumour, which fortunately had been caught early and had not progressed beyond Stage 1. Two months later a lumpectomy was performed, by which stage the lump had almost doubled in size. Fortunately the cancer had not spread into the surrounding nodes.
It was decided that Samantha should undergo four cycles of chemotherapy, followed by five weeks of radiation, to prevent the cancer coming back. She has had to spend a considerable amount of time in Cape Town for the treatment, and has currently just started on the radiation therapy.
Instead of dwelling on her problems, Samantha has maintained a positive attitude throughout, and has continued to play an important role in community upliftment in Aberdeen. She has been overwhelmed by the support she has received from Aberdeen and Graaff-Reinet, both from individuals and organizations.
Aberdeen Hospital staff and doctor have been very helpful in performing routine blood tests, which has saved unnecessary trips to Cape Town. In Samantha’s words, the Graaff-Reinet Cancer Society have been “incredible….they delivered two huge boxes of ready-to-heat, homemade meals for me and my family, which we lovingly refer to as our “Cancer Kos”. They have also offered us financial assistance towards our travelling costs…what an amazing group of people”. She has also received regular caring contact from Reach for Recovery.
Her story is a real inspiration, and she hopes that by reading of her experiences, others may be helped to cope, and that women will be encouraged to be more conscientious about their health. The frightening fact that her lump had doubled in size in two months shows the importance of early detection and prompt treatment.
Aberdeen wishes Samantha well and our thoughts are with her.