Feb/Mar 2021 – courage is contagious

Welcome to a new year and new decade, Buddies. My theme like the mag’s is Courage is contagious. “Courage is grace under pressure.” Napoleon, that historic leader who was short with a big attitude and a family history of stomach cancer, said “Courage isn’t having the strength to go on, but it is going on when you don’t have the strength. 

Does that not epitomise all our cancer patients, particularly those that have gone through chemo during a pandemic? We salute you! 

That five letter word: COVID. It has changed so much in our lives including how we exercise (read The effects COVID has on exercise), and no new year should start without a healthy self-love reboot which includes exercise.

The new year is about understanding that it’s okay to start over. It’s okay to rebuild. 

It’s okay to be scared. Remember, “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is that quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow’. 

On that note, especially in these times, read The importance of a good cry. “You have within you right now, everything to deal with whatever the world can throw at you.”

Remember, you are a hero. “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”

To those frontline workers, particularly those managing our patients: “Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid; courage means you don’t let fear stop you.

Your Buddie For Life
Prof Carol-Ann Benn

Photos: Studio Images Photography | Facebook: @studioimagesphoto

Location: Walter Sisula National Botanical Gardens, Roodepoort | sanbi.org




In this issue

Super Survivor

Sharlotte Nyathi – The brave warrior

Lifestyle

The effects COVID has on exercise

The link between cancer, metabolism and weight

Awareness

Labyrinth – the long walk to inner freedom

Vaccines: what are they and how do they work?

Renée Singh – Wearing my survivor’s crown with pride

Dedication in the purest form

The importance of a good cry

Facing the unpredictable

Treatment

Reflexology: detoxification of chemotherapy

Treatment of neutropenia

You and your breasts

Online Features

Nutritional support during cancer treatment

Lymphofluoroscopy mapping and screening


Word For Word Media, the publishers of Buddies For Life and Oncology Buddies, present the 2021 BIG C SURVIVOR’S GUIDE.

Your annual comprehensive directory of all the information that you, the patient and/or family, seek out. It is the only of its kind in South Africa.

Click on the cover to view the latest issue of Oncology Buddies and the 2021 edition of the Big C Survivor’s Guide.