Maria
Da Costa
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Breast & Bone Cancer Warrior
My name is Maria Da Costa
I am 69 years old and was diagnosed with Breast Cancer [Triple Negative TNBC] on 14th April 1993. It was circumstances beyond my control as I was the bread winner at the time, but God made a plan and my bosses paid my rent in full for three months and my sister was transporting my son to school every day. He was 15 years old at the time. This year marks my 29 years of survival!
I can recall the spirit of fear at that time, but I realised I am a warrior and a soldier for Jesus and that faith can move mountains and it did exactly that.
My dear friends never be afraid of that BIG C, it’s not the end of the road, its not the end of life, its the beginning of a strong soldier to fight the war.
I now am a stable, Stage 4 Bone Cancer Warrior. The disease spread to my shoulders, left rib cage, knees, left foot, lumbar spine and both hips. I can still walk with crutches. I had three strokes in February, but thank God, he pulled me through and I can still talk and walk. I am allergic to Morphine, I've had 12 operations and a hip replacement.
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I am a patient at the Oncology unit at Charlotte Maxeke in Parktown. I was also a motivational speaker at Charlotte Maxeke since 2000.
I would like to show other patients’ that cancer is not the end of life, it’s the beginning of a fight to become a strong warrior.
My motto - FIGHT THE BATTLE AND WIN THE RACE BY GOD'S GRACE.
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This is the hope I can give you all throughout your journey of cancer or even a survivor.
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MARIA GAINED HER ANGEL WINGS ON 20TH MAY 2022
WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU!
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