Zimpapers Logo

Sihlesenkosi Mkondo Correspondent
My story has left me with so many questions, but has also opened my mind in many ways. Being a person of sober habits who enjoys eating fruits and vegetables, it was not understandable why I would be diagnosed with cancer. I was aware that research says diet also plays a huge part in making us susceptible to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and many others.

The one thing I was not aware of is that stress and worry also increase the risk of cancer. The Chinese had known this fact for centuries.

The Internet Journal of the Institute for Traditional Medicine and Preventive Health Care, cited a Ming Dynasty text by surgeon Chen Shigong (1555-1636 AD) that indicated that as far back then breast cancer had been shown to result “from anxiety, emotional depression, and over-thinking which impairs the liver, spleen, and heart and causes the obstruction of the channels.”

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) attributes depression, grief and anxiety as major contributors due to stagnated energy which over a long period may end up presenting as a tumour or some other excessive cellular activity. In 2016, a further Chinese study found that psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression can be considered predictors of breast cancer risk.

THE COST OF WHAT WE FEED INTO OUR BODIES, MIND AND SPIRIT
I mentioned that I ate well, but I did not realise that sugar could be a problem and an accelerator of the disease that was spreading in my body. Cancer makes you tire easily, so when I began to increasingly tire as early as 9am in the morning, I simply increased intake of my favourite energy drink and coke. At the same time in keeping with my health habits I had my fruits with yoghurt almost every morning. Little did I know that my body was host to a cancer that thrives on sugars and milk.

My mind was another field of activity as economic and personal issues resulted in over-thinking, anxiety and perpetual worry.

While on the outside I looked composed, emotionally I was tearing apart and unknowingly feeding the cancer.

I am deep in my faith and beliefs, but stressful times also brought doubt, self-blame and those negative things that tear the spirit. There was so much delay in issues that needed resolution that were perpetually on my mind, and I did not totally surrender them to God as every Christian believer is advised to do.

Looking back and learning from the research work and studies done, I realise that my emotional state and some of the food I fed my body powered the growth of cancer in my body resulting in it spreading to the lymph nodes and some of the vertebrae and making me reach Stage 4 with limited long-term survival.

LESSONS LEARNT AND THE WILL TO LIVE
The past two years have been a time of serious life lessons while fighting an aggressive disease. I have learnt not to be negative, but to stay positive no matter how bleak the outlook and that has kept me strong and energised.

I have learnt to really consider carefully what I feed my body, my mind and my spirit.

If I am tired I rest. Advise to you the reader, if the tiredness continues, seek medical assistance and thorough medical examinations.

The most fierce of battles is in the mind, but I have learnt to feed my mind with positive things in a much automatic manner.

I have learnt to wish bad thoughts away until they go.

Diet changes, even though minimal, have also been sources of energy and feeling good.

I believe the best thing individuals, families and Governments can do is adopt what Michelle Obama worked so hard to implement in the USA.

We are what we eat, let’s actively eat right and live long.

I have lifestyle changes that leave me feeling light, content and raring to live another day.

Cancer is a story for me just like any other medical condition.

For those affected keep fighting, create a light at the end of that tunnel!

#inallyourgettinggetunderstanding

Sihlesenkosi Mkondo is a researcher for Zimpapers Television Network and a Cancer Advocate.