Lynette Lagardien – Cancer Stories of Hope #CANSA90
What is your current cancer diagnosis?
I have colon cancer.
How long have you been living with that cancer?
I am living with this cancer since 2017.
How does living with cancer affect you in general in your day-to-day living?
Since 2017 cancer is a part of my life and is sometimes hard to cope with. This can be hard on my family as my children don’t accept that I might die.
Is there a family history of cancer? Please elaborate if yes.
Yes, family members on both sides of my father’s and mother’s families have been diagnosed with cancer.
How have you or your loved ones been affected by you living with cancer?
At the moment pain is unbearable during the nights, as my sleep is affected and I can’t sleep peacefully.
How has having cancer affected you during this time of COVID-19?
During the COVID pandemic I have learnt the reality of how important social distancing is for terminally ill patients. I also realised how uneducated I was about cancer and the symptom’s of COVID-19.
What is your message to our government regarding the prevention, management and treatment of cancer?
It is to help educate people more about cancer and treatment.
What is your message to other people living with cancer?
Please don’t give up, believe in yourself, stay positive and enjoy each moment, because we can so easily experience setbacks.
Is pain a daily part of your life and how do you manage it?
Sometimes my pain is unbearable at nights and I have to take sleeping pills to have a good night rest.
How has CANSA supported you in your diagnosis?
The support of CANSA is so vitally important and during my diagnosis CANSA was my life support.