Thato Moncho believes that if she had received radiation in 2021 when she was supposed to, she wouldn’t have metastatic breast cancer now. She shares how she is dealing with her anger and living for the future.
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Thato Moncho (40) lives in Soweto, Gauteng with her mother and her daughter (15).
Since being diagnosed with Stage 2 inflammatory breast cancer in 2020, Thato has had two recurrences with the latest being confirmed as metastatic breast cancer. She believes that this is due to not having radiation, in 2021, after surgery due to the backlog at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH).
The first recurrence occurred four months after a lumpectomy while waiting for radiation. Thato was treated with chemotherapy again as well as trastuzumab and then a mastectomy was done in 2022. The second recurrence occurred four months after the mastectomy. However, this time the cancer was also in her left breast.
“I was so angry and disappointed. I had been pleading with the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) to get radiation, explaining that the cancer I have is aggressive and that radiation is essential for survival. On various occasions, I was told to just have faith (I have more than enough faith to fight cancer). In 2022, both the MEC of GDoH and the CEO of CMJAH told me the same story about having a brother who is also on a radiation waiting list at another government hospital. I mean the exact story by two different women who aren’t even related,” Thato says.
Third time on chemotherapy
In October 2022, Thato started chemotherapy for the third time as well as trastuzumab for the second time.
“This time it was rough. There were times I couldn’t walk, my hands and feet were peeling, my nails were falling off, my face and eyes were swollen, and I was vomiting. I even asked my oncologist to stop treatment. But thankfully, she didn’t listen and kept on telling me it would get better. I thank her for that. By the fourth cycle, it did,” Thato explains.
Metastatic breast cancer
Surgery to remove the left breast was planned after treatment in April 2023. However, a CT scan, taken in February, showed cancer on the lungs. Thato now had metastatic breast cancer.
The mastectomy and radiation were no longer needed as the cancer has already spread. An oral chemotherapy tablet was prescribed along with an aromatase inhibitor and Thato sees her oncologist every six weeks.
“I cried when I heard this news. It took me around two months to break the news to my mom and daughter.
My mom was strong, I think I get my strength from her. My daughter was also strong, I even went to her school last year October to do a breast cancer awareness talk. It took me a while to process the news but there came a time when I knew I had to put my fighting gloves on again. How can I fight two recurrences and advocate on numerous TV and radio interviews but then give up when it’s on my lungs?,” Thato explains.
The side effects from the oral chemotherapy are skin discolouration, neuropathy, joint weakness, and watery eyes.
Living for the future
Thato is still waiting for the CT scan result that she had in July to see how well treatment is working. She is also one of the witnesses in the lawsuit against GDoH opened by The Cancer Alliance for failure to utilise the allocated R784 million to address the radiation backlog and other surgical backlogs in Gauteng.
Thato is still a fitness instructor, however, she has moved to a corporate gym with hours that are more suitable for her as she has started studying Sports Management. Though, she adds that she can’t do certain exercises the way she used to due to the side effects but feels strong in her overall health.
“I have found running and boxing help me process my anger. The support I get from Breast Health Foundation, and other people, even strangers, who’ve read my story plays a big role in giving me strength too,” she says.
She is looking forward to celebrate her daughter’s 16th birthday next year. “We are planning on going big with the celebrations.”
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. Write to [email protected]
Header image by Laurelle Williams