Penny Naidoo was diagnosed with Paget’s disease of the nipple, a form of breast cancer. She tells us more about this journey and how she believes red devil saved her life.
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Penny Naidoo (61) lives in Essenwood, KwaZulu-Natal. She has two adult sons and four grandchildren.
Every year I religiously do a mammogram. In 2016, I noticed a sore on my nipple and thought it was caused by lotion or washing powder which I changed a few times. When that didn’t help, I used Vicks and a topical cream; it disappeared but then came back.
Since I’m a medical sales consultant, I knew this was strange and saw a specialist surgeon who immediately sent me for a mammogram; he also did a few biopsies. The results
came back positive for breast cancer presenting as Paget’s disease of the nipple. He explained that Paget’s disease of the nipple is a rare condition of breast cancer.
That day is one I’ll never forget; I felt as if the floor opened and swallowed me up, or like I was drowning and was going to die. However, the compassion from my medical and nursing team was absolutely amazing which helped.
Three surgeries
The surgeon told me I needed an immediate mastectomy to remove the right breast (2 x 2,5cm lumps were detected). I begged to delay the operation as I was going on my first sales conference. Thankfully, the surgeon agreed.
As soon as I got back, I was admitted. The mastecomy was done, and an inflator was inserted. To be frank, I was happy to reduce the size of my breast because I was an E cup.
Two weeks later the wound got infected and I underwent another operation to clean it. Two weeks later I had to have another operation as I was allergic to the silicone. I have such a sensitive system, I’m allergic to a quite a few plasters, dressings and oitments.
In 45 days, I had three surgeries; I then chose not to undergo any futher reconstructive surgery.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy started as soon as I recovered and the wound healed.I had 39 sessions; some of which was red devil. However, that litte yet potent red devil is a lifesaver as I personally think it saved my live.
The chemotherapy experience is something that I wouldn’t wish for anyone. I had my bad days then would bounce back to a few good days and carried on working. I would call on my customers with my bald head and I rocked the look.
Thankfully, I had the most amazing support system with friends and family who cooked for me and took time to come to my doctors’ appointments with me as I found them to be overwhelming; I would switch off the minute I entered any doctor’s room.
After chemotherapy was completed, I had my left breast removed as I was unstable withone heavy breast and it looked lopsided when I got dressed.
I used to have check-ups every three months as my cancer markers were always fluctuating but from July last year, I go every six months.
B, C OR D CUP
Looking back on this journey, I thank God for helping me through it. It changed me asa person with some of my values changing. I think about things differently, have new priorities, and most of all I’m living life.
I’m very confident even though I’m flat-chested with no nipples but as I always say I can choose to be a B, C or D cup when I get dressed in the morning; it all depends on what I wear and my mood. I use sponges in my bra as I don’t like the feel of the prostheses. Looking at the bright side is that I wasn’t comfortable with my natural E cup and now I’m comfortable.
I share my story at various cancer functions and reach out to other people facing cancer and encourage them. Everyone needs to know that having cancer isn’t a death sentence and with hope and prayer there is always light at the end.
MEET OUR EDITOR – Laurelle Williams
Laurelle Williams is the editor at Word for Word Media. She graduated from AFDA with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Live Performance. She has a love for storytelling and sharing emotions through the power of words. [email protected]
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