Online Reporter
Bruce Ndlovu
Society Reporter
WHEN comedienne Nomsa Diana Muleya’s breasts started itching in February last year, she dismissed it as a minor irritation, something that would soon go away.
After all, human bodies sometimes develop itches that a simple scratch cannot bring to an end.
At the time, Bulawayo’s first comedienne, popularly known as Nomsa Dee, was only mildly concerned by this bothersome itch on such a sensitive part of her body.
At worst, she thought it was a stubborn boil that had found a home on her bosom.
Two months later, her mild concern had developed into full-fledged worry.
The itch had transformed into a sharp pain, giving her sleepless nights.
In those two months, her breast had also swollen.
“My troubles started last year with an itchy breast, around February,” she said.
“By the time we reached April, the breast had swollen and had become painful. We thought maybe it was just a boil, but it kept growing bigger and bigger. I went to hospital and they said they could not find anything out of the ordinary. I went home and the pain continued.”
As the days progressed, Nomsa Dee found herself in a predicament.
The pain was worsening, yet medical inquiries did not reveal anything untoward with her itchy, swollen breast.
She was now on a cocktail of painkillers, as her illness simply refused to give her breathing space. As desperation crept in, she started taking khaki weed, a traditional herb, on the advice of a neighbour.
It was during a visit to a pharmacy that her developing breast cancer tragically revealed itself.
“By then, I was living on pain medication and I was taking strong painkillers as much as I could. This continued until a neighbour advised me to take a certain herb called umthwentwe (khaki weed) in IsiNdebele.
“I started drinking it, but sometime in May, I was in town at the pharmacy searching for pain medication and my breast just burst open. Funny enough, I did not feel any pain; I just started dripping slimy, stinky stuff and after this, I started to use breast pads.
“My mum would put the powder from umthwentwe in the hole that was now open in my boob. The pain was now worse, but I just carried on.”
After the initial trauma, Nomsa Dee thought the worst was behind her as the pain started to subside in June last year.
However, months before her breast had started itching, she had done some screening for cervical cancer but had not bothered to collect her results while she was preoccupied with her painful breast.
Unexpectedly, she received a call about those results from her doctor — a call that sent her reeling.
“I had also tested for cervical cancer, but because there was so much going on, I did not do a follow-up on the results. The boob healed around June, but in truth, I was not okay. I had spent months with the most excruciating pain and done all sorts of things to cope, including drinking stronger alcoholic stuff just to keep the pain at bay.
“At this time, I was also trying to find my feet because the illness had strained me financially, as I was unable to perform or hustle.
“So, here I was trying to find my feet, then boom, I received a call from the doctor asking me why I had not taken treatment for cervical cancer since it has been a year since they found cancer cells in my cervix.
“I was shocked to the core because I was trying to get back on my feet after the pain I had gone through with my breast, then boom, there is a new disease now,” she revealed.
At this time, Nomsa Dee found it hard to come to terms with the idea that her body could be host to two different kinds of cancer.
To treat her breast, she had already been taking different substances, including the khaki weed and molasses.
Now, as she faced the twin threat of breast and cervical cancer, she was on the verge of breaking down.
The woman who is free-spirited and loves a good joke was dying within her.
“Because of what I had gone through with the pain in my breast, I was terrified, considering the time that had passed and the risk of it spreading. I sank into a deep, dark hole. Part of me wanted to fight it, while the other part was tired and just willing to let go.
“. . . I had my days when my spirits were up and some days I would be down. I would spend my day at home just watching TV and I became addicted to watching series just to distract myself. At this time, I did not want visitors because I did not want to be chatty, but my friends like Ntando would come get me so we could chill and I would come home very tired.”
It was during this time, when she was seemingly down and out, that Nomsa Dee received what she still believes is a miracle.
With the encouragement of her family and friends, she decided to go back for screening again so she could start the fight against cervical cancer.
“However, with God and His grace, I continued onwards. I was due for an operation, but I kept delaying because I was scared of what it all meant for me. I did not know if this would turn out well or if this was something I could easily get rid of.
“My mother and my son were my chief warriors during this time and they prayed for me. They moved mountains with their prayers and my friends encouraged me to go and just deal with whatever was waiting for me,” he said.
“That is when I went back to the hospital and the lady I consulted was shocked that there were no cancer cells in my womb. I call it a miracle because, as much as I was still taking that herb, I had lost the strength to fight and my body was giving in due to the fear. I was depressed and nothing positive was coming out of me because I just was not up to another painful ride like the one I had from last year.”
While her illness took a toll on her, it especially affected her son, who had to relocate to Zimbabwe from South Africa after he heard that his mother was now facing a double cancer threat.
“My mother has always been my pillar of strength, and I thank God for her and her fellow Brethren in Christ members for being behind me during this tough time.
“My son was obviously shaken, hence he had to relocate back to Zimbabwe due to the whole double predicament.
“My sister was always helping and sharing things I should drink and eat. Everyone would pitch in with different remedies. The goal was to get me healed,” said Nomsa Dee.
As she continues her treatment, Nomsa Dee encouraged other women to get screening and treatment timeously.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in Zimbabwe, where breast cancer ranks as the second most common cancer among women, following cervical cancer, early screening can save lives.
“Women must always have these tests done. Imagine having two cancers at the same time! What does that mean for your immune system? Cancer screenings are free mostly, especially with those mobile clinics that go around different suburbs. It is wise to stay informed so that you know how to handle whatever is going on. The earlier this is done, the better,” she said.
