South African writer, activist and Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter Zoleka Mandela is reeling with fear. After learning that her fight against cancer is far from over.
Zoleka who is the granddaughter of struggle stalwart Nelson Mandela. Has revealed that she might have to brace herself for another battle against cancer after living years as a survivor.
Taking to her Instagram account, she detailed how she struggled with excruciating pain in her left rib for more than a month. She said she decided to consult her GP, who diagnosed her with bone metastasis.
This is a condition in which cancer cells spread from their original site to the bone.
“I’ve had a sore back for more than a month now, and recently consulted with my GP when I could no longer tolerate the excruciating pain in my left rib. I went for an x-ray of my chest and rib a few days ago – I have a pathological fracture and swelling caused by cancer,” Zoleka wrote.
She says her doctor told her the cancer cannot be removed nor can it be cured and is currently awaiting her results after undergoing a CT scan.
“I don’t even have the words to articulate my thoughts and feelings, the words to describe how scared I am right now. What do I tell my children? How do I tell them that this time around, I may not get to live my life as a survivor? How do I tell them everything will be okay when it’s not? I’m dying … I don’t want to die” said the writer.
Mandela, who is also the granddaughter of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Documented her 10-year breast cancer journey in an autobiography, When Hope Whispers in 2013.
The 42-year-old, who welcomed her sixth baby in April, has also been open about her past as a drug and alcohol abuser. In June, she revealed she had her first drink at the age of nine.
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The activist also penned an emotional letter to herself that reads:
“Dear younger me, someday you are going to stop being afraid of who you are. You’re going to claim yourself with all the fierce tenderness you are hoping so desperately to receive from others. You’ll accept your own limitations, and then you’ll leap over them. And when you stop to look around, you’ll realize that the people and opportunities surrounding you are everything you never knew you always wanted. I’ll be here waiting for you.” – Nanea Hoffman. 🧡🤎🧡 #ZolekaMandela.”
Sending love and light during this difficult time. You are a cancer warrior Zoleka Mandela!