Zoleka Mandela, You Are Our Woman Crush Every Day -- Thank You For Beating The Odds

Your strength is absolutely inspirational.
Zoleka Mandela.
Zoleka Mandela.
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Author and social activist Zoleka Mandela is our Woman Crush Wednesday.

The 37-year-old granddaughter of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and the late former president Nelson Mandela has truly beaten the odds, which makes her a true inspiration.

1. She is a breast cancer survivor, not once but twice.

The disease necessitated a double mastectomy, multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation sessions.

A few weeks ago, Mandela found a lump in her chest. But doctors confirmed it was non-cancerous.

28.09.2017 ... I found a lump in my chest just over 3 weeks ago whilst performing a Breast Self Exam. I didn't want everyone panicking so I kept quiet! My Day One (my grandmother) got to my appointment today and before I did because she was panicking! See? 😬 Today's Breast Ultrasound with Dr. Seider (my Radiologist at Donald Gordon) confirmed that the mass in my chest is BENIGN (non-cancerous). I do not have Breast Cancer for the 3rd time after beating it twice, I simply have Fat Necrosis which presents it's like a lump - there's a bit of pain and discomfort but all it is, is dead fat tissue in the area where an 19grm tumour was last removed. It's caused by a combination of surgery and Radiation, usually occurs 6mnths after treatment. I had 30 sessions of Radiation which I completed in March this year. There is no need for a Biopsy (this is when they take a tissue sample to examine it); although he says the mass may not disappear completely, I should keep a close eye on it and have another ultrasound should it continue to grow! Thanking Dr. Carol Benn, Dr. Demetriou, my family and my loved ones for being my sanity! ❀️ I think I might just complete my last stage of breast reconstruction in celebration of what feels like another lease on life ... Nipple Reconstruction!!! πŸ˜‚ But after living without them for 5yrs, is there really any point to them? πŸ™ˆ Okay! I'm done being a patient for today, back to my studies and motherly/wifely duties!!! I can finally study in peace minus the distraction of a possible 3rd diagnosis!!! 😝 P.S. I think Zenani and Zenawe were side eyeing God, smiling and saying, "We got your back, Mamma!!!" πŸ˜‡ ... #KnowYourCancer #SilenceCancerBeforeItSilencesYou #BreastCancerSurvivor #BreastSelfExam #TwoTimeBreastCancerSurvivor #ZolekaMandela #Radiation #BreastUltraSound #HormonePositiveCancer #LuminalBCancer #EstrogenPositiveBreastCancer #LuminalTypeBMammaryCarcinoma

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2. She is seven years sober this year

She has been honest about her decade-long addiction to drugs and alcohol, and her recovery process.

3. She is a proud mama, even though she has suffered two losses

She has a teenage son and a three-year-old daughter, despite the loss of two children within two years between 2010 and 2011.

4. She is a bestselling author

Her autobiography, "When Hope Whispers" was published in 2013 and made it on to Bridge Books' top seller list.

5. She is one hot mama

She has been on a fitness journey that's as aspirational as it is envy inducing, eating healthily and putting in the hours on the exercise front.

6. She is a student at Unisa

Criminology is her major.

Mandela, you a true testament of the strength of the human spirit. Through you we believe it's never too late to pick yourself up and start afresh.

Good luck with the journey ahead.

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