My Journey with breast cancer: Sheryl Long
I am a very proud 42 year old mother to a wonderful loving 22 year old son and wife to an awesome husband whom support me with everything I do in my life thus far!
My life is made up of so much love and compassion for all whom I may meet along my wonderful journey. I have so much to be thankful for. I have survived breast cancer twice in my life, the first time when I was just 33 years old in 2004 and now at the age of 42, since April 2011. Shocking as it may seem to me, I have overcome these obstacles so much stronger than before. My God has given me this wonderful strength and sight in the darkness when I needed it the most. My support from friends and family whom have stood by my side throughout these life changing experiences has been phenomenal; I have met so many wonderful people along my journey. I stand strong because of the love of my Lord above and all around me!
With my first experience of breast cancer in my right breast in 2004, I didn’t realize what I was in for. I had a lumpectomy in January after the diagnosis and then waited for the wound to heal. The oncologist then ordered chemotherapy and since I was so vulnerable and thought that this was the only way to survive, I went ahead with it as a fragile human being, really battling to cope. The minute the chemotherapy ran through my veins, it was like battery acid, it burnt inside. Now imagine mixing the “cocktails” yourself and a little contact with the skin would burn it like acid. I cannot explain the feeling which overcame me with each session, so much nausea and just wanting to lie down and sleep. I felt abandoned from the world. By the 2nd round of chemotherapy I was bald. Treatment continued for 6 months and radiotherapy began immediately thereafter for 8 weeks everyday excepting weekends.
To get me through this traumatic time, I spent a lot of time at the beach just gazing into the sea and the horizon. So many thoughts filled my mind and I began to accept this part of my life as a challenge that I can overcome. I began to get real busy and take my mind off what was happening, and started to get involved with community and charity work. I have done everything from bathing orphans, collecting items for the needy, soup kitchens, toy runs, and just about anything that anyone needed, if I could help out, with the help of my community, I was there.
The next few years were as follows:
2007
In 2007 I was nominated to enter Mrs. South Africa, and gave it a bash. Mrs. SA is all about being the backbone to her community, not just a beauty pageant. I was chosen as one of 30 finalists, and I was overjoyed at that achievement. At the finals in December 2007 I won the title for my region and province as Mrs. Western Cape SA, for 2008. This was a huge achievement for me and I began to use that title as a platform for my community work. Since then my community work just blossomed and I became so well known within my community. People knew who I was and what I was about and assisted me wholeheartedly to fulfill my projects.
2008
In 2008 whilst the xenophobic attacks were happening, my family and I got involved with the feeding of the people whom were temporarily homed at Killarney Raceway. We fed over 2000 people foe over a month. With the help of sponsors and donations, and the Muslim community who were so awesome, we drove with meals in huge pots to the various “holding sites”. I received a Humanitarian Award for this work, but it wasn’t done for the award, it was for the compassion and care that I felt for these people.
2009
In 2009, I created a charity called “Race to Live” a charity drive for children suffering with life threatening illnesses whom had various wishes to be fulfilled. I assist the families with their various needs and we treat the children to outings at Killarney Raceway with passenger rides in real race cars, dress them in the full race gear and entertain the children afterwards as well as their families for the day. I assist with fundraising for the families going through tough times as we all know that have a life threatening disease is also costly. See www.racetolive.org
2010
In 2010 I entered a local pageant called SMILE Western Cape and won the title of Mrs. Smile. Also during 2010 I was nominated as Woman of the Year through the Lions Club, again for all my volunteerism and community work and I won the title. I was handed the Louis Volks International Humanitarian Award and was recognized for my dedication and love for my community.
Also during 2010 I also entered “Queen of Hope” International and proved myself throughout the year using the title again as a platform to complete my projects and community work and to create the awareness of breast cancer and other forms of cancer. I have done hundreds of various projects to take me through to the finals. And in July 2011 in Arizona, I won the title of Mrs. Worldwide “Queen of Hope” where I competed against 17 different countries. I was so “Proudly South African”. I also won the award for the “Spirit of giving” as well as the overall one and only Spirit of HOPE award which was recognized by the mayor of Arizona for the most community work done by a single individual during the year. This was such an honor for me! I loved every minute of representing South Africa and was very popular amongst the other contestants.
MY REAL BATTLE BEGAN FROM HERE:
2011
Getting to this point in my life has not been easy at all. I did not know whether I would make it to pageant at all as I have been “learning” to walk again with my “new” amended leg. After my Dad had passed away on 1st February 2011, In March I had a terrible fall and had major surgery as I had fractured my left femur. The femur bone is the strongest bone in one’s body. I now have screws, five pins and a plate as a permanent fixture to my leg. With rehabilitation, lots of exercises, swimming and physiotherapy, I began to walk again by the middle of June, without the aid of crutches. My recovery was remarkable and thanks to my God once again, I am living proof of strength and perseverance.
What a year when I thought that this was enough now, in April I was diagnosed again with breast cancer, this time in my left breast. Again, I had a lumpectomy done and surgeons confirmed that 2 of my 11 lymph nodes which were removed under my armpit were cancerous so the cancer cells had spread through to my bloodstream. I was overwhelmed as I could not believe that so much can happen to one person. I knew that I had to continue with my life and this would keep me for fulfilling my little dream of Queen of Hope. But nevertheless I began to try alternative ways of treating the disease myself. More tests revealed that the cancer was in my lymph nodes and I cannot tell you that I knew how to cope at the time, but I prayed and yes I was allowed to be petrified as I knew that from here it could spread to the brain, bone marrow and kidneys.
All I could think of was that I needed this devil of cancer to get out of my body. I first needed to accept it and make peace with it, as part of my life…I am not part of its life! With various treatments, herbal and organic products, supplements, veggies, juicing and all the green organic food stuffs, meditation, soul searching, inner healing and faith, it has brought me some healing. After 6 months and a lot of financial stress, I knew that something good will come of this. No matter how much pain I was in and how many sleepless nights I have had, I refused to let chemotherapy become the ruler, so the holistic route is how I wanted to go. I have had so much support, prayers from across the world and everyone being positive around me, and accepting the way I am dealing with this disease…my way. I have had sessions each week with a spiritual healer and amongst all the agony and trying to stay positive, in December 2011, unfortunately the tumor developed to the size of golf ball inside the same breast under my nipple. This time it grew to almost 5cm in diameter.
2012
In January 2012 I decided to get a second opinion, and booked an appointment with a “new” oncologist…. Rika Pienaar from GVI Oncology at Panorama Medi Clinic. She advised me of the treatment required to “melt” the tumor and reminded me that should I choose to leave it the way it is, it will spread to my organs. I made the decision then and there to start with chemotherapy as soon as possible. I knew that with God in my “boat” it didn’t matter what the size of the storm, He can calm any crisis, and I began to receive God as my personal savior to help me cope with this.
I started on the strongest doses of “red cocktail” … 1 session every 3 weeks. This continued for 4 months then I switched over to “paclitaxel” which is a lighter dosage of weekly chemo. This continued for a further 7 weeks. It became necessary to stop the chemotherapy as it was too toxic to my body, so I couldn’t complete the last 2 compulsory weeks. Each time after the chemotherapy because my blood counts were too low to administer chemo, I would have my husband inject “Neupogen” into my stomach. Neupogen then stimulates the bone marrow to produce white blood cells, to support the immune system. This was an ongoing problem with chemotherapy from the start. My spine used to ache and throb whilst the white cells are being released, only to start all over again, receive chemo and break down the bone marrow again.
My experience and side effects from chemotherapy were: complete hair loss, nauseas and vomiting, diarrhea at first but then with the paclitaxel complete constipation. Heart palpitations, dry skin, watery and weakened eyes, my veins are like rope in my arms, when blood is drawn or any further IV drips administered, my foot is used as the chemo has “eaten” all my veins. My bones throb like I have some kind of bone disease. My fingers and toes are constantly numb, I have pins and needles in my arms and legs. I have had to extract a back tooth as a result as well because chemo attacked my root canal; I have had no appetite and no taste on my tongue. I have had headaches sometimes and these are just to name some of them. Each chemo session is for 4 hours with the various cocktail of chemo running through my veins. My arms are so sore to touch from the IV drips. When this liquid is mixed up, the nurses and pharmacists wear special gloves as it will burn their skin if contact is made. L I am so flat-out for a few days after the chemo, and then my body has to recover. Blood tests are then taken a day before my next chemo, if my blood counts are not high enough then I will need the neupogen again and I cannot continue with my chemo the following week.
Once all chemo had been completed, I was scheduled to have a bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstruction. I met with Dr Etienne Myburgh and Dr Hilda Meyer the plastic surgeon and had my operation on the 14th August. I remained for a week in hospital. Considering all that I have been through, my pain had become bearable. I prayed to God for guidance with each test that I had done and also for the results from the mastectomies. On the day of my release I received the news that the MRI, CT scans and Histology reports from the breast tissues that were removed, is all clear. There is no sign of tumors within my body. Whatever my bad experiences were with the chemotherapy and the amount of suffering I went through, it was well worth it as I received these wonderful results. All praise and Glory to God for this my complete healing from this dreaded disease!
MY CHARITY WORK IN 2012 AND ACHIEVEMENTS WHILST ON CHEMOTHERAPY:
In June 2012, just 2 days after extensive chemotherapy I competed in the Mzantsi Africa Western Cape Pageant and won the title of Mrs. Western Cape Rolemodel 2012-2013.
My charity work continues and whilst still undergoing chemotherapy, my Heavenly Father keeps me going strong. The director of Queen of Hope has continued with a Global Pageant for cancer awareness, and I have just received the title of: Mrs. Global United “Lifetime Queen” where I stand as ambassador for all as a fighter and lifetime inspiration to others. I am overwhelmed at this achievement!
3 days before my operation I attended 2 Woman’s Day functions where I inspired women with my message of HOPE no matter what life throws at you! “HOPE” “Helping Other People is Empowering!
My journey has not been easy, at times I cried so much that I felt like giving up, but God has reminded me that I have a purpose in life! My purpose is to live for Him and help others going through the same. I thank God for my wonderful husband Ian who was there for me, no matter what. He had to remain strong for me when I was weak, it broke my heart to see him inject me morning after morning in my stomach, to see me crying and to hold me when I felt like giving up, reminding me that he still loves me even though I had no hair!
I have come this far and my message is for other women to NEVER give up!! I believe that nothing is impossible. With God ALL things are possible! The word impossible simply says: I’m Possible!!! It doesn’t matter that cancer has stolen my identity; it has not stolen my life! I will not allow it! Cancer is just a word, not a sentence. I aim to inspire those whom are going through a life threatening illness, that there is HOPE; it comes in the name of JESUS!!! J
MY TITLES HELD:
Mrs. Global United “Life time Queen”
Mzantsi Africa Mrs Western Cape Role Model 2012-2013
Mrs Worldwide “Queen of Hope” 2011 -2012
Spirit of HOPE International Award 2011
Mrs Smile Western Cape 2010
Lions' Woman of the Year 2010
Mrs Western Cape 2008
I am a very proud 42 year old mother to a wonderful loving 22 year old son and wife to an awesome husband whom support me with everything I do in my life thus far!
My life is made up of so much love and compassion for all whom I may meet along my wonderful journey. I have so much to be thankful for. I have survived breast cancer twice in my life, the first time when I was just 33 years old in 2004 and now at the age of 42, since April 2011. Shocking as it may seem to me, I have overcome these obstacles so much stronger than before. My God has given me this wonderful strength and sight in the darkness when I needed it the most. My support from friends and family whom have stood by my side throughout these life changing experiences has been phenomenal; I have met so many wonderful people along my journey. I stand strong because of the love of my Lord above and all around me!
With my first experience of breast cancer in my right breast in 2004, I didn’t realize what I was in for. I had a lumpectomy in January after the diagnosis and then waited for the wound to heal. The oncologist then ordered chemotherapy and since I was so vulnerable and thought that this was the only way to survive, I went ahead with it as a fragile human being, really battling to cope. The minute the chemotherapy ran through my veins, it was like battery acid, it burnt inside. Now imagine mixing the “cocktails” yourself and a little contact with the skin would burn it like acid. I cannot explain the feeling which overcame me with each session, so much nausea and just wanting to lie down and sleep. I felt abandoned from the world. By the 2nd round of chemotherapy I was bald. Treatment continued for 6 months and radiotherapy began immediately thereafter for 8 weeks everyday excepting weekends.
To get me through this traumatic time, I spent a lot of time at the beach just gazing into the sea and the horizon. So many thoughts filled my mind and I began to accept this part of my life as a challenge that I can overcome. I began to get real busy and take my mind off what was happening, and started to get involved with community and charity work. I have done everything from bathing orphans, collecting items for the needy, soup kitchens, toy runs, and just about anything that anyone needed, if I could help out, with the help of my community, I was there.
The next few years were as follows:
2007
In 2007 I was nominated to enter Mrs. South Africa, and gave it a bash. Mrs. SA is all about being the backbone to her community, not just a beauty pageant. I was chosen as one of 30 finalists, and I was overjoyed at that achievement. At the finals in December 2007 I won the title for my region and province as Mrs. Western Cape SA, for 2008. This was a huge achievement for me and I began to use that title as a platform for my community work. Since then my community work just blossomed and I became so well known within my community. People knew who I was and what I was about and assisted me wholeheartedly to fulfill my projects.
2008
In 2008 whilst the xenophobic attacks were happening, my family and I got involved with the feeding of the people whom were temporarily homed at Killarney Raceway. We fed over 2000 people foe over a month. With the help of sponsors and donations, and the Muslim community who were so awesome, we drove with meals in huge pots to the various “holding sites”. I received a Humanitarian Award for this work, but it wasn’t done for the award, it was for the compassion and care that I felt for these people.
2009
In 2009, I created a charity called “Race to Live” a charity drive for children suffering with life threatening illnesses whom had various wishes to be fulfilled. I assist the families with their various needs and we treat the children to outings at Killarney Raceway with passenger rides in real race cars, dress them in the full race gear and entertain the children afterwards as well as their families for the day. I assist with fundraising for the families going through tough times as we all know that have a life threatening disease is also costly. See www.racetolive.org
2010
In 2010 I entered a local pageant called SMILE Western Cape and won the title of Mrs. Smile. Also during 2010 I was nominated as Woman of the Year through the Lions Club, again for all my volunteerism and community work and I won the title. I was handed the Louis Volks International Humanitarian Award and was recognized for my dedication and love for my community.
Also during 2010 I also entered “Queen of Hope” International and proved myself throughout the year using the title again as a platform to complete my projects and community work and to create the awareness of breast cancer and other forms of cancer. I have done hundreds of various projects to take me through to the finals. And in July 2011 in Arizona, I won the title of Mrs. Worldwide “Queen of Hope” where I competed against 17 different countries. I was so “Proudly South African”. I also won the award for the “Spirit of giving” as well as the overall one and only Spirit of HOPE award which was recognized by the mayor of Arizona for the most community work done by a single individual during the year. This was such an honor for me! I loved every minute of representing South Africa and was very popular amongst the other contestants.
MY REAL BATTLE BEGAN FROM HERE:
2011
Getting to this point in my life has not been easy at all. I did not know whether I would make it to pageant at all as I have been “learning” to walk again with my “new” amended leg. After my Dad had passed away on 1st February 2011, In March I had a terrible fall and had major surgery as I had fractured my left femur. The femur bone is the strongest bone in one’s body. I now have screws, five pins and a plate as a permanent fixture to my leg. With rehabilitation, lots of exercises, swimming and physiotherapy, I began to walk again by the middle of June, without the aid of crutches. My recovery was remarkable and thanks to my God once again, I am living proof of strength and perseverance.
What a year when I thought that this was enough now, in April I was diagnosed again with breast cancer, this time in my left breast. Again, I had a lumpectomy done and surgeons confirmed that 2 of my 11 lymph nodes which were removed under my armpit were cancerous so the cancer cells had spread through to my bloodstream. I was overwhelmed as I could not believe that so much can happen to one person. I knew that I had to continue with my life and this would keep me for fulfilling my little dream of Queen of Hope. But nevertheless I began to try alternative ways of treating the disease myself. More tests revealed that the cancer was in my lymph nodes and I cannot tell you that I knew how to cope at the time, but I prayed and yes I was allowed to be petrified as I knew that from here it could spread to the brain, bone marrow and kidneys.
All I could think of was that I needed this devil of cancer to get out of my body. I first needed to accept it and make peace with it, as part of my life…I am not part of its life! With various treatments, herbal and organic products, supplements, veggies, juicing and all the green organic food stuffs, meditation, soul searching, inner healing and faith, it has brought me some healing. After 6 months and a lot of financial stress, I knew that something good will come of this. No matter how much pain I was in and how many sleepless nights I have had, I refused to let chemotherapy become the ruler, so the holistic route is how I wanted to go. I have had so much support, prayers from across the world and everyone being positive around me, and accepting the way I am dealing with this disease…my way. I have had sessions each week with a spiritual healer and amongst all the agony and trying to stay positive, in December 2011, unfortunately the tumor developed to the size of golf ball inside the same breast under my nipple. This time it grew to almost 5cm in diameter.
2012
In January 2012 I decided to get a second opinion, and booked an appointment with a “new” oncologist…. Rika Pienaar from GVI Oncology at Panorama Medi Clinic. She advised me of the treatment required to “melt” the tumor and reminded me that should I choose to leave it the way it is, it will spread to my organs. I made the decision then and there to start with chemotherapy as soon as possible. I knew that with God in my “boat” it didn’t matter what the size of the storm, He can calm any crisis, and I began to receive God as my personal savior to help me cope with this.
I started on the strongest doses of “red cocktail” … 1 session every 3 weeks. This continued for 4 months then I switched over to “paclitaxel” which is a lighter dosage of weekly chemo. This continued for a further 7 weeks. It became necessary to stop the chemotherapy as it was too toxic to my body, so I couldn’t complete the last 2 compulsory weeks. Each time after the chemotherapy because my blood counts were too low to administer chemo, I would have my husband inject “Neupogen” into my stomach. Neupogen then stimulates the bone marrow to produce white blood cells, to support the immune system. This was an ongoing problem with chemotherapy from the start. My spine used to ache and throb whilst the white cells are being released, only to start all over again, receive chemo and break down the bone marrow again.
My experience and side effects from chemotherapy were: complete hair loss, nauseas and vomiting, diarrhea at first but then with the paclitaxel complete constipation. Heart palpitations, dry skin, watery and weakened eyes, my veins are like rope in my arms, when blood is drawn or any further IV drips administered, my foot is used as the chemo has “eaten” all my veins. My bones throb like I have some kind of bone disease. My fingers and toes are constantly numb, I have pins and needles in my arms and legs. I have had to extract a back tooth as a result as well because chemo attacked my root canal; I have had no appetite and no taste on my tongue. I have had headaches sometimes and these are just to name some of them. Each chemo session is for 4 hours with the various cocktail of chemo running through my veins. My arms are so sore to touch from the IV drips. When this liquid is mixed up, the nurses and pharmacists wear special gloves as it will burn their skin if contact is made. L I am so flat-out for a few days after the chemo, and then my body has to recover. Blood tests are then taken a day before my next chemo, if my blood counts are not high enough then I will need the neupogen again and I cannot continue with my chemo the following week.
Once all chemo had been completed, I was scheduled to have a bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstruction. I met with Dr Etienne Myburgh and Dr Hilda Meyer the plastic surgeon and had my operation on the 14th August. I remained for a week in hospital. Considering all that I have been through, my pain had become bearable. I prayed to God for guidance with each test that I had done and also for the results from the mastectomies. On the day of my release I received the news that the MRI, CT scans and Histology reports from the breast tissues that were removed, is all clear. There is no sign of tumors within my body. Whatever my bad experiences were with the chemotherapy and the amount of suffering I went through, it was well worth it as I received these wonderful results. All praise and Glory to God for this my complete healing from this dreaded disease!
MY CHARITY WORK IN 2012 AND ACHIEVEMENTS WHILST ON CHEMOTHERAPY:
In June 2012, just 2 days after extensive chemotherapy I competed in the Mzantsi Africa Western Cape Pageant and won the title of Mrs. Western Cape Rolemodel 2012-2013.
My charity work continues and whilst still undergoing chemotherapy, my Heavenly Father keeps me going strong. The director of Queen of Hope has continued with a Global Pageant for cancer awareness, and I have just received the title of: Mrs. Global United “Lifetime Queen” where I stand as ambassador for all as a fighter and lifetime inspiration to others. I am overwhelmed at this achievement!
3 days before my operation I attended 2 Woman’s Day functions where I inspired women with my message of HOPE no matter what life throws at you! “HOPE” “Helping Other People is Empowering!
My journey has not been easy, at times I cried so much that I felt like giving up, but God has reminded me that I have a purpose in life! My purpose is to live for Him and help others going through the same. I thank God for my wonderful husband Ian who was there for me, no matter what. He had to remain strong for me when I was weak, it broke my heart to see him inject me morning after morning in my stomach, to see me crying and to hold me when I felt like giving up, reminding me that he still loves me even though I had no hair!
I have come this far and my message is for other women to NEVER give up!! I believe that nothing is impossible. With God ALL things are possible! The word impossible simply says: I’m Possible!!! It doesn’t matter that cancer has stolen my identity; it has not stolen my life! I will not allow it! Cancer is just a word, not a sentence. I aim to inspire those whom are going through a life threatening illness, that there is HOPE; it comes in the name of JESUS!!! J
MY TITLES HELD:
Mrs. Global United “Life time Queen”
Mzantsi Africa Mrs Western Cape Role Model 2012-2013
Mrs Worldwide “Queen of Hope” 2011 -2012
Spirit of HOPE International Award 2011
Mrs Smile Western Cape 2010
Lions' Woman of the Year 2010
Mrs Western Cape 2008