From Diagnosis to Recovery:Journalist Becomes First Breast Reconstruction Patient in Zimbabwe

By Catherine Murombedzi

IN this first part of a three-part series, a cancer patient goes through diagnosis, shock, pain, processing, and acceptance. Watch this space for
Part Two: where a breast surgeon, Dr Simbarashe Mungazi, carries out the first breast cancer reconstruction procedure in Zimbabwe using the patient’s tissue. His colleague, a breast cancer surgeon, Dr Munyaradzi Magara weighs in.

In Part Three,A look at Zimbabwe’s cancer strategy, roadmap, and community voices.

Affectionately known as Big Ropa, the jovial freelance journalist is keen to learn, as the Secretary General (SG) of Health Communicators Forum of Zimbabwe, at inception in 2018, that vigor has been waning due to a myriad of health challenges. In 2022, Ropafadzo Mapimhidze handed over the post to Michael Gwarisa as she has been in and out of hospital over the past four years, battling high diabetes mellitus and hypertension, Covid-19 infection at home, Long Covid-19 and two eye procedures.

“One early morning in early August this year, I lay in bed with my grandchild, Chiyevo, when she pressed her elbow on my nipple. I immediately held my hand over the nipple in pain and realised that there was a growth that felt as hard as a bean just below the nipple. I knew this had to be cancer because I had attended so many awareness programs on detecting breast cancer.
“My reaction was that of shock….No, no, no, hell no.
“I immediately called Dr Anne-Mary Nyakabau, an oncology guru who immediately arranged that I could go for a mammogram, biopsy, and ultrasound that week

“I must say that I was a dead woman walking from the moment i felt this painless lump to the day I got results a week later.
“Dr. Anne-Mary Nyakabau told me that it was procedural that I bring a close relative because that is how she deals with patients whether or not they have cancer.
“I was accompanied by my cousin Marciline Klinkenberg, who arrived at the clinic with red shot eyes.
“She looked as though she had been crying, but I, at that point, thought she was stressed over something else.
“When we walked into the consultation room and sat down, i was hoping and praying that the result be negative. But alas, after about an hour of counseling, the oncologist said…’I am sorry the results confirm you have cancer…’
“My world crumbled like a deck of cards. It was mind shattering news, and I immediately broke down. I wept so hard that day. When I got home, I cried for over three hours.I have survived the worst of diseases, but this one was my worst diagnosis.
“All this was happening as I also had to do freelance work because I earn based on what I have produced. Literally speaking, a freelancer eats what one kills.
“It was tough going, I don’t know how I have managed to be here to give a testimony.
“Dr. Nyakabau explained the different procedures. There wasclumpectomy {lump removal} or the total removal of the breast known as mastectomy. She also talked about the possibilities of undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but I was no longer listening because I was reeling through the shock of the diagnosis.
“Marceline my cousin, decided to spend the night with me at home because my mind was so foggy that day so much that I needed someone by my side to think straight.
“A call to get me ready for the procedure came when I least expected it because a surgeon was visiting soon. The United Kingdom based breast surgeon jetted in on the 16th of October, two days before the procedure.
“I underwent further counseling, but I had already made up my mind that I would have the whole breast removed.
“When I got back to the high dependence unit (HDU) ward at a private clinic in Harare, I was surprised to realise that I still had some semblance of a breast.
“I wondered if he had decided to just remove the lump. I had to wait for the doctor to visit. Dr. Mungazi explained to me that he had decided to do what is called the Goldilocks Procedure, an operation that benefits women with double D cup sizes like myself. This mastectomy involves the removal of breast tissue and at least five lympnodes… The fatty tissue and the outer breast skin are ‘molded’ into a breast. It’s difficult to tell I lost a breast because I can still wear a bra.
“I eventually had a chat with Dr Mungazi later that week, who then told me that he decided to go the Goldilocks Procedure way somewhere along the way to theatre.My body size and weight made the procedure a good option.
“Affordable. No. Maybe the rich people can. I was expecting to see a flat space on my right side, but God worked through this breast cancer surgeon, and he says I could be the first woman to have this operation done locally. Others could have had it in developed countries.
“This has boosted my morale because what I was expecting is not what happened.
“I had medical insurance, which I paid in US$. It was not going to meet all the expenses.
“I wish to take this opportunity to thank my siblings, their children, and not forgetting my boss Ray Choto, who provided financial and emotional support during this most difficult and stressful phase of my life.
“I would also like to urge all women to have their yearly breast checks because there are treatment options for cancer. The cancer in my breast could not be detected at a reputable laboratories because it dissolved after taking a drug called Letrozole which I started taking in August and will continue to take for the next five years plus.
“Cancer is not so deadly when discovered in early stages and although I am yet to fully recover, I thank God for each and every new day because I have realised that life is so fragile and hence the need to enjoy every moment of each day.
“Lastly, but not least, a big thank you to Dr. Mungazi and Dr. Nyakabau for humanitarian work that you do. I am so overwhelmed withjoy.
“When cancer is detected early, treatment success is high. However, the exorbitant cost sees many failing to access the treatment.
“The next question is, should I or should I not have radiotherapy?
“I will leave this unanswered because the wound from the op is yet to heal This is what I am yet to decide on and I should leave this for next year for I want to enjoy Christmas with family in a very big way. Every day is a blessing,” said Mapimhidze.

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