Zoleka Mandela’s Cancer Battle Not Over!
Zoleka Mandela’s Cancer Battle Not Over!
South African writer, activist, Zoleka Mandela, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, and in March 2012, at the age of 32, underwent treatment to remove both of her breasts.
The cancer did however return in 2016… Since that time, Zoleka has bravely used Instagram to document her struggle and to encourage other patients by sharing the side effects of her therapy. She became clean and cancer-free but now her nightmare has come back to haunt her.
Now, Zoleka, 42, has shared shocking news with the public that her cancer is back and now it’s spread to her bones.
The granddaughter of Nelson Mandela’s took to Instagram a few days ago to disclose that she had been given a diagnosis of bone metastasis, a condition in which cancer cells have moved from their primary place to a bone.
“I’ve had a sore back for more than a month now, and recently consulted with my GP when I could no longer tolerate the excruciating pain in my left rib. I went for an x-ray of my chest and rib a few days ago – I have a pathological fracture and swelling caused by cancer. My Medical Oncologist has scheduled me for a CT scan and bone scan, to determine whether I have cancer in the remaining parts of my body,” Zoleka wrote.
“From what she’s told me, cancer in the bones cannot be eradicated nor can it be cured. I have Bone Metastasis. I’ve just had my CT scan and awaiting my results, I don’t even have the words to articulate my thoughts and feelings, the words to describe how scared I am right now. What do I tell my children? How do I tell them that this time around, I may not get to live my life as a survivor? How do I tell them everything will be okay when it’s not? I’m dying … I don’t want to die.”
View this post on Instagram
The two-time cancer survivor published a book in 2013 titled “When hope whispers” in which she details her life and struggles with sex, drug, and alcohol addiction as well as living with breast cancer.
When there was still hope, Zoleka Mandela had the courage to share her story of growing up, becoming a mother, and going through the grieving process after losing two children while battling breast cancer.
She authored the book with the intention of raising awareness of cancer and providing inspiration and hope to others who have struggled with substance misuse.
She is a survivor, and her story shows how resilient people can be when faced with hardships in life. In spite of enormous obstacles, Zoleka Mandela is a real life example of how to succeed in the face of enormous obstacles.
