ZAINAB Baaitjes is excited about the next chapter of her life after surviving breast cancer and receiving reconstructive surgery.
The 57-year-old from Joburg was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and that is when the fight for her life began.
“I was floored. I was in my early 40s and never thought that this was on my path,” she recalled.
The tumour was found in her left breast and she had to undergo “aggressive” chemotherapy and radiation as part of the treatment. It was followed by a lumpectomy procedure to remove what was left of the tumour.
Zainab was happy to be alive, but looking in the mirror to see her different sized breasts was a reminder of that time.
That pushed her to start the journey to undergo plastic surgery and she met Dr Brian Monaisa and later Smile Artists Africa – who helped fund the surgery.
Watch the full interview below: