Rebecca Musi, An Everyday Heroine

Written by Nasra Al Adawi of Oman & Amias of USA

Oman, April 2007 - I would like to take this opportunity to not only recognize Rebecca Musi, as an "Everyday Heroine" for the services she does for others, but also to share with you a little insight into her journey.

I had the privilege of talking with Rebecca during her stopover here in Oman. She taught me the word, Ithemba, which is a South African word, meaning “hope”. It is a great honor to share our meeting with my sisters here at LiquidPlastic.net.

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Rebecca Musi is a single mother, who has one son. She is one of eight siblings, born in Pimville Soweto, which is located in South West Johannesburg. When she was nine years old, her father passed away.

During the reign of the apartheid government, Soweto was the designated area where Blacks were allowed to live. Like most African youth, Rebecca was active in fighting against the tyranny of the leaders in her country. In her final years of study, at a local university, she was arrested for fighting against the apartheid government, and subsequently banned from studying in any university in South Africa for five years. “I had to look for a job and restart my life”, said Rebecca.

When Rebecca was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of forty-nine, her mother became ill at the same time. “I never got a chance to tell her as I did not want to upset her”, said Rebecca. “This was just before I started my treatment, so I suspended treatment and looked after her.” Ironically her mother died four months later. She was ninety-five years old.

Today, Rebecca Musi is a breast cancer survivor, and she travels around the world supporting other breast cancer survivors. She works for Breast Health Foundation (BHF) in Johannesburg. She is also a participant in the Avon Foundation initiatives for cancer awareness. Avon has launched a campaign called the “Global Connection Ribbon Tour”. This tour links survivors from one country to another.

I will continue Rebecca's story in a question and answer format, which will allow her to speak in her own voice. Also to share with us some of the more personal aspects of being a breast cancer survival.

Nasra: When you were diagnosed, what was your state of mind in the beginning and in the end?

Rebecca: In the beginning I was confused, shocked and angry. I cannot explain exactly how I felt as my emotions were unstable like a yo-yo or washing in a washing machine. In the end I was strong, cheerful and bubbly.

Nasra: Who was your support system, and how did your family react to your illness?

Rebecca: My support system was a friend who is also a prayer partner. With regards my family’s reaction I had to down play everything for my son’s sake who was doing his high school final year. Every time I came back from treatment I’d tell him it’s ok. I didn’t realize I’d mentioned so many okays until last year when he was asked to motivate children who’s moms were going through treatment. After his speech I had to ask him, privately, whether he didn’t exaggerate and he told me under no uncertain terms did he exaggerate. Up to today I don’t remember those ‘okays’ however they served the purpose.

Nasra: How far did you have to travel for treatment, and how often?

Rebecca: After finding the lump I went to the breast clinic at the government hospital which is 15 km from my home. Not having a car I use mini bus taxis to travel around. Tests were done and they confirmed that I had breast cancer. The doctor then said she’d like to do more tests before starting with treatment to ensure the cancer had not spread to other parts of the body. Most of those tests were negative and one of the tests was the scan of the liver. The doctor at that department refused to do the test the reason being she doesn’t think it will come up with any different results. My doctor at the breast clinic was very upset, asked if I had medical insurance/aid and when I said yes she phoned her secretary at one of the private clinics to book me an appointment. That hospital is 40 km from my home. I went there for more tests. For surgery I was booked at a hospital that is 45 km from my home. For chemo I used to go to a hospital that is 55 km from my home. For radiation I went to a hospital that is 50 km from my home

Nasra: How long did it take you to heal?

Rebecca: This question cannot be answered in one simple sentence as healing from breast cancer is a process. Treatment for breast cancer is a long journey. To make it easier for myself I had to liken it to an ultra marathon. First, I had to be spiritually strong which helped carry me through when the body and mind were giving in. Recovery was gruesome and agonizing and many times I wondered whether I would ever be able to do anything ‘normal’ again. The body takes a battering from the hard drugs we take during treatment. After I’d finished treatment the body still felt the effects of the battering and it takes a while for the body to clean itself and get rid of the ‘poison’.

Nasra: What did you do to keep your food down after chemo?

Rebecca: My strong faith helped me. My doctor gave me tablets to take, I took them once and decided to let God guide me through this dark valley.

Nasra: What is the one thing that caused you to get up and begin helping others?

Rebecca: When I was told I had breast cancer I had no one to immediately talk to, someone who had been through it. During treatment people who understood me were other fellow patients and we were all blind mice supporting each other. I made a decision that, to the best of my ability, I will provide support to those going through these challenging times in order to promote a positive mindset of survival, recovery and quality of life.

Nasra: If you had one wish for women around the world what would it be?

Rebecca: As women let us love each other instead of gossiping about one another.

Nasra: How do you feel about the sisterhood of all women?

Rebecca: This is the wish of my heart, I fully support it.

Nasra: Who do you think is an everyday heroine?

Rebecca: Someone who goes out of her way to help those less blessed than herself.

Nasra: What is your favorite past time, color, and places to visit?

Rebecca: Pastime is reading, color is black and places to visit is the wild animal park and beach.

Nasra: What are some of your hobbies?

Rebecca: Jogging, walking, going to the stadium to watch soccer, cricket and hiking.

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Nasra: Now that we have shared some of the more personal aspects of your life, let’s talk about your reason for visiting Oman?

Rebecca: “It is the Avon Foundation (AF) that opened a window for interaction with other breast cancer survivors from other countries. Through the Avon Foundation I was privileged to be in New York to attend a Cancer Walk. I also met with other Breast Cancer survivors from different parts of the world.”

Nasra: I am familiar with the Cancer walk. It is my understanding that Ms. Yuthar from National Association for Cancer Awareness (NACA) was selected to travel to South Africa, as an honored guest, to attend the Cancer Walk there. Similar walks had been organized during the month of November 2006 in Oman in cooperation NACA and MHD Avon. There were exchange of ribbons that symbolizes hope and survivorship. Has Cancer become a national health issue?

Rebecca: “Yes. But if you are here in Oman and have suffered with cancer or know somebody who suffered with Cancer you may feel it’s only related to Oman. In October 2006 I was privileged and honored to join 37 survivors from different countries and we participated in the Avon Walk around the World for breast cancer in New York.

Meeting with other breast cancer survivors from different parts of the world, was a very unique experience. Despite nationalities, we spoke the same language. Thanks to Avon, women from around the world immediately connected to one another as we shared this one common bond, breast cancer.

The reality I face is that breast cancer is an illness that has no boundaries nor does it choose its victims based on skin color, creed, religion or age. It hits indiscriminately across the world. It has no respect, much like Tsunami. Each survivor was given the Global Connection Ribbon. This ribbon serves as a symbol of the Avon Walk around the World for Breast Cancer and Avon’s shared commitment to eradicating breast cancer.”

Nasra: I am pleased that Breast Cancer is intensively addressed here in Oman by the National Association for Cancer Awareness (NACA). Where does South Africa stand with Cancer?

Rebecca: “The women in South Africa say with determination, zeal and oneness; we fought apartheid and are prepared to fight breast cancer. In South Africa we are fighting to eradicate this disease, and believe me it is a fight.

I praise the health services that are providing for the people of Oman. They are very blessed in receiving almost free medical attention. We don’t have that in South Africa. Even in the government hospital the unemployed has to pay a minimum fee. Most hospitals, especially government hospitals do not have the facilities to provide treatment for breast cancer. People travel a long ways to Johannesburg to seek breast cancer treatment.

We have Interim Homes which accommodates breast cancer patients, because it becomes very expensive to travel back and forth to get chemo or radiation during breast cancer treatment. Interim Homes provide free accommodation and transportation to take patient back and forth for either chemo therapy or radiation.”

Nasra: As a Cancer Survivor, in your opinion, what does it take to fight cancer?

Rebecca: “You can not walk through cancer alone. If you want to survive, you must be prepared to fight this illness, and you can not fight it by yourself. I look at my experience in fighting this cancer; I would not want any one to go through that experience. At that time I did not have a car and after I finish my treatment I had to use public transportation. One evening I took a public bus while returning from chemo, there was a man smoking, I immediately vomited in the bus. It was an embarrassment; people did not care where I have been.”

Nasra: In Oman, the NACA is well known through the efforts of Cancer Survivors. What are the roles of Cancer Survivors in South Africa?

Rebecca: “Breast Cancer Survivors started a group, because we realized that with breast cancer you can not walk through it alone. We called ourselves Bosom Buddies (BB), which is a support group run by survivor volunteers.

BB’s goals are to provide support to individuals affected by breast cancer, at their point of diagnosis and during treatment. Often when a patient is diagnosed with breast cancer, there is trauma and shock involved and it helps greatly to identify with someone who has been through a similar ordeal. Our buddies can guide the patient and her loved ones, as well as, clarify any issues associated with this condition. BB falls under the Breast Health Foundation, a non-governmental organization, which aims to promote a positive mindset of survival, recovery and quality of life.

Now all of the sudden breast cancer is attacking young ladies. One of the Breast Health Foundation’s missions is to change the face of breast cancer, and eradicate any fear in South Africa. We have people that does community work with schools and churches, by approaching them and talking about this illness.

Bosom Buddies works with the doctors; we have counseling services that is in-line with the doctors. We also have a counseling room. If a doctor sees that a patient is having fears, they send for us, and we counsel the patient.

For example, a lady does not want to go through Chemo, because they have read so much about the side effects. They fear losing their hair or even the unknown. The doctor recommends Bosom Buddies to the patient, for private consultation. We help the patient eliminate whatever fears they might have.

Bosom Buddies, not only counsel the patient, we also look after their support system; for instance the husband and children. We look at it because at times women in South Africa face a storm of emotions while facing breast cancer. For instance, a woman comes from her doctor and tells her husband that she has breast cancer. Her husband says, "What will I do with a woman without a breast?" The husband will leave her. This becomes a double trauma for the lady, and who can she talk to. She might reach out for help and no one would be there to help her. We make ourselves available. Bosom Buddies are the shoulders she can lean on. If you gone through breast cancer you will understand what it is like.

With the support system survivor's husband and children also reach out to other husbands and children of the newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. In South Africa we have a phrase which says, if you touch a woman you touched the rock.”

Nasra: Rebecca’s message is that Breast Cancer is a Global Concern, however it will take all women, worldwide, to face and fight this calamity by supporting each other. She is indeed one of our everyday heroines.

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