Breast cancer: Zimbabwe woman's struggle to avoid mastectomy

In World
2020-07-10 23:29:11Z
By BBC

$Breast cancer: Zimbabwe woman\$

Breast cancer: Zimbabwe woman\'s struggle to avoid mastectomy

A 44-year-old woman in Zimbabwe, Tendayi Gwata, is battling to avoid a mastectomy after her breast cancer treatment abruptly ended when the only radiotherapy machine in the capital, Harare, stopped working.

Ms Gwata, a marketing consultant, had already lost all her hair during chemotherapy. Then she was told that because the machine had broken down, she may need her breast removed.

Zimbabwe's health sector has largely collapsed amidst an economic crisis that has seen inflation soaring to 785%, and a severe shortage of cash. The crisis has been compounded by the coronavirus outbreak.

Ms Gwata told the BBC's Clare Spencer about her ordeal:

In July 2019 I had discomfort in my breast so I went to the doctor in Harare and had a scan and mammogram.

A biopsy then confirmed I had stage-three breast cancer and the cancer had spread to my armpit.

I flew to South Africa to go through the full cycles of chemotherapy and had surgery to remove the tumour.

Then I started radiotherapy back in Harare to stop the tumour from recurring.

When we were booking the radiotherapy, there was only one machine working in the whole of Harare and that was at the private facility, Oncocare.

I'd got quite far in my treatment - 21 sessions of the 30 that I was supposed to do.

Then I got the call.

I was in my car on my way to my 22nd daily radiotherapy session when they phoned me to tell me to turn around because the machine had broken.

That was on 21 April. A week went by. A month went by. And I still had no clue when the radiotherapy machine was going to get fixed.

My oncologist said I would need to start thinking about having a mastectomy.

I tried really hard to not cry.

I've worked so hard to stay positive, to stay energised, to look to the future and say: "I'm going to survive this," to only get to this point where I'm now having to go through a new set of fully invasive procedures, in the hope that I have a better chance of survival all because someone won't fix the machine.

I was really just wanting to burst into tears but my anger took over and I went to Twitter.

Radiotherapy has many purposes:
- cure/shrink early-stage cancer
- stop cancer from coming back somewhere else
- treat symptoms caused by advanced cancer
- treat cancer that has returned

Broken machines = no treatment, zero hope

PLEASE FIX THE MACHINES @MoHCCZim @nickmangwana

- Tendayi Gwata (@TendayiGwata) June 9, 2020

I also started learning as much as I could about radiotherapy.

The only research I could find on the impact of missing radiotherapy sessions is for up to two days.

I couldn't find any research on the impact of missing it for two months, for three months.

It's not even explored because it's so incomprehensible to the rest of the world that a machine can break and not be fixed.

I talked on BBC Focus on Africa radio about my anger and frustration and after that interview I had loads of people phoning me asking: "What can I do? How can we help?"

I explained to them that I was failing to get in touch with someone who could actually give me answers and who I could talk to for a way forward.

So, one of my friends I went to high school with gave me the phone number of the head of the health services board, who in turn put me in touch with Ernest Manyawo, the chief executive officer of Harare's biggest public hospital, Parirenyatwa.

It's not just me

That's when I discovered the scale of the problem. He said that there are 500 people sitting at home right now waiting for radiotherapy because of broken machines.

It's not just me. It's not just a handful of people but it's a lot of people and that's where my outrage comes from.

Having had personal experience of the pain and agony that you go through, going through chemo, surgery, raising money for treatment, the overall impact on your family, just to then fall at the last hurdle because these facilities don't exist, that really struck a chord with me.

When I was first looking for radiotherapy, Parirenyatwa was not given as an option to me.

It turned out they had three machines, which had all been broken and had been sitting idle since August 2019.

You may also be interested in:

Mr Manyawo told me they had received the spare parts for the machines in February.

These machines cost anything between $1m (£795,000) and $3m. So, there's an agreement with the company that sold the machines that only their engineers can come and fix them.

But those engineers are in South Africa.

I haven't slept well

Mr Manyawo didn't say why it had taken six months to get those parts, nor why the engineers didn't come as soon as the spare parts arrived.

Then, on 23 March, before any engineers had visited, Zimbabwe shut its borders to try and restrict the spread of coronavirus.

This case got lost in a whirlwind of red tape.

Now, I've been told that the engineers' flight has been booked and all that is pending is a clearance from the Ministry of Health to allow them into the country.

So we're in that limbo period. I'm anxious. I haven't slept well. I keep waking up in the middle of the night.

But I'm trying to keep a lid on it because the one thing that cancer has taught me is that you should really only worry about something when you get to it.

Otherwise you'll just spend your entire life worrying and that's not good for your health.

More about cancer treatment during the coronavirus pandemic:

COMMENTS

Breast Cancer

(2020-07-19 19:59:39Z)

I think that it must be a very hard thing for her to go through the Breast Cancer with such limited resources. We should do everything to rectify the situation and help her a lot.

TekSolutions Marketing

(2020-09-27 19:30:47Z)

I blog often and I really thank you for your content. This article
has truly peaked my interest. I am going to bookmark your blog
and keep checking for new information about once a week.

I subscribed to your Feed as well.

https://www.spreaker.com/user/13560691

(2020-11-28 05:00:56Z)

Moreover the chart worth dropped drastically
lowered-for example if a message says there. The purchase ranking because he thinks the worth range of Bitcoin miner may be.

Everyone can contribute in verification or generation of currency
which will hurt sales. Curiously Bitcoin exchanges
or diversifying across exchanges to keep questionable dealings personal individuals who could want to.

2fa when time for an digital device that residents of
developed world societies may face if. Simply two minutes a fifth of the
time Satoshi claimed to be taken down. Expressvpn's finest plan for the two weeks since my final viral market update.
Even when it is said about 3 of Expressvpn's site by going to help set traders.
As an example arrange powerful computer systems just to
try to warp the electorate’s behaviour. That’s helpful however there are
stories again as a host of privateness throughout checkout.
Identical to you place your request on the market supposed for an online digital
forex. Here at Coinmarketcap we work very much like gold or an insurance coverage
policy.

Read Manga - readmanga.se

(2020-12-02 04:43:01Z)

WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for ReadManga.SE

XSKG

(2020-12-07 23:03:40Z)

I am really impressed with your writing skills as well
as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or
did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality
writing, it's rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.

KILLING STALKING MANGA

(2020-12-11 17:31:50Z)

Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There's a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content.

Please let me know. Thank you

a returners magic should be special read manga

(2020-12-12 11:45:06Z)

I love what you guys are usually up too. This sort of clever work and
exposure! Keep up the amazing works guys I've incorporated you guys to my
own blogroll.

mobile slot car hire sydney

(2020-12-15 04:22:21Z)

It's an art which requires some practice. If you
don't have a list you are in really deep water.

Eliminate words that make you sound uncertain about data
that you present.

Buy Priligy online

(2020-12-17 01:46:59Z)

Hello mates, its great post regarding educationand fully defined, keep it
up all the time.

WikiLand Shophouse

(2020-12-18 11:29:46Z)

thank you for this post, I am a big fan of this site would like to continue updated.

wresling BDSM

(2020-12-22 09:44:50Z)

Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also
am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; many of us
have created some nice practices and we are looking to
swap solutions with others, please shoot me an e-mail if interested.

Iclaprim

(2020-12-23 04:23:14Z)

Hello there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group?
There's a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.

Please let me know. Many thanks

erection pills online

(2021-01-01 09:06:21Z)

best erectile dysfunction medication erection pills online erectile dysfunction pills

Hey! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if
you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I'm using the same blog platform as yours and I'm having difficulty finding one?
Thanks a lot!

make up atelier

(2021-01-03 01:30:42Z)

I want to to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely enjoyed every bit
of it. I have got you book marked to check out new things you post… https://slides.com/daniel1212

http://safedaysecurity.com

(2021-01-18 22:55:39Z)

It's very simple to find out any topic on net as compared to textbooks,
as I found this piece of writing at this site.

مطابخ مودرن

(2021-01-19 04:46:00Z)

I love it when individuals come together and share views.
Great site, stick with it! https://www.instapaper.com/p/kitchens

cars run on water

(2021-01-23 22:02:52Z)

I don't even know how I stopped up right here, but I thought this post was once good.
I do not recognise who you are however definitely you're
going to a well-known blogger in case you are not already.

Cheers!

rocket spanish download

(2021-01-24 03:16:30Z)

You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand.
It seems too complex and very broad for me.
I am looking forward for your next post, I'll try to get the hang of it!

learn spanish

(2021-01-24 03:25:02Z)

I adore forgathering useful info, this post has got me even more
info!

learning languages by immersion

(2021-01-24 03:57:53Z)

I really appreciate this post. I've been looking
everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing.
You have made my day! Thanks again!

speak language

(2021-01-24 04:24:29Z)

Now I am going away to do my breakfast, afterward having my breakfast coming over
again to read more news.

(2021-01-27 03:59:33Z)

It's actually a nice and helpful piece of information. I am satisfied
that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date
like this. Thank you for sharing. https://sites.google.com/view/newkitchendesigns1/

kitchen ideas pinterest

(2021-01-27 08:21:42Z)

Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine
Optimization? I'm trying to get my blog to rank for some
targeted keywords but I'm not seeing very good success.
If you know of any please share. Kudos! https://www.rawpixel.com/binsabri/community-boards

commercial-movers-charleston-wv

(2021-01-27 22:45:50Z)

An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who had been doing a little
homework on this. And he actually ordered me breakfast due to the fact that I discovered it for
him... lol. So let me reword this.... Thanks for the meal!!
But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this topic here on your
blog.

log in sbobet

(2021-01-28 23:59:00Z)

I am now not certain where you are getting your information, however good topic.
I needs to spend some time studying more or working out more.
Thank you for fantastic info I was on the lookout for this
info for my mission.

wigs for black woemn

(2021-01-29 11:49:34Z)

An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a
friend who had been conducting a little research on this.
And he actually bought me lunch simply because I discovered
it for him... lol. So allow me to reword this.... Thanks for the meal!!

But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this subject here on your web page.

simthanglong

(2021-02-06 13:33:29Z)

Hey there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any
trouble with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and
I ended up losing a few months of hard work due to no back up.
Do you have any methods to protect against hackers?

التسويق عبر الانستقرام

(2021-02-06 20:35:35Z)

Simply want to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity
in your post is simply cool and i could assume you're
an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post.
Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work. http://beckettizoe58147.blog2news.com/2218519/buy-followers-instagram-saudi

affair app

(2021-02-10 13:19:08Z)

Ethereum platform is developed by some further helpful function. Ethereum is the first
alternative of bitcoin. As of Jan. 8, 2020, Ethereum (ETH) had a market top of $15.6 billion and a
for each symbolic estimation of $142.54. As of Jan. 8, 2020, BNB had a
market prime of $2.3 billion and a for each symbolic estimation of $14.71.
As of Jan. 8, 2020, BSV had a market high of $2.1 billion and a for every symbolic estimation of $114.43.

It is likewise at present the third-biggest digital
currency on the planet by in general market top. Ripple currency marge
extra system. Other than designers, there are a growing number
of shippers who acknowledge Litecoin. The financial standards demonstrated after bitcoin are by and huge called altcoins and have continuously tried to introduce themselves as altered or improved
adaptations of bitcoin. https://affair-app.fuckdating.monster

Cycloheximide

(2021-02-10 21:52:11Z)

Article writing is also a fun, if you know after that you can write if not it
is difficult to write.

GSK1016790A

(2021-02-11 00:13:08Z)

I have read so many articles or reviews concerning the blogger lovers but this piece of
writing is actually a pleasant post, keep it up.

see now

(2021-02-14 00:17:42Z)

I have read so many content concerning the blogger lovers however
this post is actually a pleasant piece of writing,
keep it up.

(2021-02-14 16:10:05Z)

Hi! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you
using for this site? I'm getting sick and tired of Wordpress because I've had issues with hackers and I'm looking
at alternatives for another platform. I would be fantastic
if you could point me in the direction of
a good platform.

(2021-02-15 20:52:58Z)

Greetings from Colorado! I'm bored to tears at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break.
I enjoy the information you provide here and can't wait to take
a look when I get home. I'm surprised at how quick your
blog loaded on my phone .. I'm not even using WIFI, just 3G ..
Anyways, wonderful site!