Charmaine Koen Cancer Campaign Campaign
Charmaine's Journey - "I was Diagnosed on the 6th of November 2023 (A moment that changed my life)
Prior to being diagnosed, a few months before, I embarked on a health journey Mid-June 2023, I had become too overweight (at 107kgs), I decided to start on the Ketogenic diet, by October I had lost 25kgs. And had it not been for my weight loss, I would not have discovered the lump in my left breast.
Mid-October 2023, whilst showering one evening I discovered a lump in my left breast, which was quite scary, 2 weeks later I started feeling pains in my breast which was even scarier, a friend recommended me to the Breast Clinic in Sea Point, they booked an appointment for the 6 November, I had my first mammogram, they then decided to do an Ultrasound as well. I was then told that it does not look very good as it is very large and inflamed, the ultrasound also showed that my lymphnoids had been affected. The doctor was extremely concerned and booked a biopsy for the next day. It was all too scary for me, firstly the diagnosis and secondly all the financial implications (as at the company I work for no medical aid is provided for)
After my results came from the biopsy, it was clear by then that I was on Stage 3 already and was diagnosed with a very aggressive type of Breast Cancer called HER2.
The doctor got me an Immediate booking for the Friday at Grootte Schuur Hospital. I was then seen by an Oncologist, who reconfirmed what I already thought I knew. They did further CT scans, XRays, Ultrasound and a Heart Scan. The Ultrasound Confirmed that the Cancer had indeed spread to my lymphnoids and unfortunately it had already spread to my liver as well. When the doctor called in my family to let them know that I am actually terminally Ill and I am already at stage 4, and any treatment now would not be Curative but Palliative.
This has all taken a financial strain on me, as my company
does not have empathy towards my health status and has already decided that
they need to cut my salary, or I would have to make a decision whether to leave
or stay. I have now been to my second Chemotherapy Session, and besides
fighting to survive, I have the extra burden of how to survive financially".
We are rising funds for her upcoming mastectomy with the reconstruction as well as the radiation that needs to be done thereafter. With that, this money would also be used to cover costs already incurred for chemo sessions, specialist visits, as well as scans and medication.