Naledi Willers opens up about beating cancer after being diagnosed with stage 2 triple negative breast cancer last year, November 29. The Real Housewives of Johannesburg alum shared a series of lengthy Instagram posts with her followers as well and thank everyone for their love and support during her health battle.
Naledi being her post, "If I look like I've just been through a war, it's because I have. On 29 Nov. 2019 I was diagnosed with stage 2 triple negative breast cancer. This was also the day I wrote the last exam of my law degree... while waiting for the call bearing my results."
"I spent the past short while posting pictures taken around this time last year so I can show what a difference a year makes... and also to say that through all those changes, I'm still here. Still fighting? Does the fight for survival ever end? I choose to say: still healing. Still improving. Every day I draw another breath... still WINNING.
The world buckled down and braced for the impact of COVID-19 while each day I was terrified that an encounter with the virus while on chemotherapy could result in my death due to my compromised immune system. In truth the lockdown also offered me shelter to go through all I have and still am going through out of the public eye... life is what you make it and we choose how to look at things. This is how I chose to look at my reality," she continued. "While it may not be my life's only interest, it has certainly become one of my primary goals to be a voice of awareness, information and change in the silent but gruesome battle women face against this brutal disease. I want to lift the veil of secrecy and quiet suffering for it is that concealing of information that invariably leads to the mortality of so many."
In this message I cannot fail to mention those who have held me up both physically and emotionally through this time: @blackbarbielish for opening her home, heart and family to myself and my mother. For never leaving my side. @onealafrica for being more than any label can ever encompass since we met twelve years ago... but my brother and best friend through it all," she added. "My doctors: Prof. Carol-Ann Benn, Dr Ronwyn van Eeden, Dr Barend van den Bergh and Dr Dino Chetty as well as all staff at the various facilities I have been treated at who are still on the journey with me. Thank you. You are titans that walk the earth."
She concluded, "My name is Naledi Willers. Breast cancer survivor among so much else. But for now you can call me NALEGEND."
In a second post, Willers thanks her followers, friends, and family for their love and support.
"I want to thank everyone who commented and showed such heartfelt support on my 'coming out' post. I read every comment, and couldn't fight back the tears each time. It's been such a humbling experience to receive such a positive response to what has been my life's biggest test thus far," she wrote. "To my personal friends and those with whom I only get to interact on this platform alike: thank you. You have all breathed strength into my soul."
"As I start the dialogue around this topic gradually I thought I'd draw attention to an often understated, even diminished aspect of having one's physical vessel bombarded with foreign intervention: the change in my appearance. Unlike what is broadly assumed about dealing with cancer, the current treatment protocols include steroids to avoid allergic reaction to the drugs and even the body attacking itself... this leads to weight gain. Along with my weight gain I lost muscle mass and my skin lost its 'youthful' texture and elasticity. This is a body image talk... nobody ever prepares you for walking around feeling like you're stuck in someone else's body. For feeling frustrated when you've gained so much weight your pants, jeans and other clothes simply DO NOT FIT (not are tight, DONT GO PAST YOUR CALVES!)."
"To other women silently judging themselves for hurting about this while going through or after treatment: you are not crazy or ungrateful just because this happens as a result of life saving interventions. You deserve to feel and look your best and more importantly like a woman, and whole," she continued. "It's okay to yearn for your version of normal... it's in small details like that that we find comfort and when they're taken away on top of everything else it's easy to lose resolve."
"I took these pics in June. Feeling so self conscious because yes I'm generally much smaller. I'm not here to compare myself to anyone else so please don't jump to do so to me. My only wish is to return to MY normal. This is me plus 11kg," she added. "My goal and ambition as part of my Physical and emotional healing is to reclaim my normal through healthy lifestyle decisions."
Naledi concluded, "I'm open to all suggestions and assistance and will share what I learn as I go. 💙"
Photo Credit: Naledi Willers/Instagram
![RHONJ Season 9 Premiere Recap: Wives And Dismeanors [Episode 1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuryYm2OGpHl0P8gYhEIK2gXgipI0kBY1ubYwWZqbTzF22CZIXMfw0nwxB_lOBLW0ry_9wqEw7UyJDinR0pQS_B7M_Bnwt_3I6LuH9RAjcWPytv6ToIghyphenhyphenf6w9q18q4BtA_YOdBgYeKng/w680/181022_3816506_The_RHONJ_Season_9_Taglines_Are_Here_.jpg)
