Former Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe Opens Up About Her Battle with Cancer

Thokozani Khupe Opens Up About Her Battle with Cancer, Calls For Improved Cancer Care In Zimbabwe

Thokozani Khupe, former Deputy Prime Minister and opposition lawmaker, has opened up about her extensive and ongoing battle with cancer.

Khupe, 59, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2011, which led to a mastectomy and further treatments.

However, her health struggles continued as she was misdiagnosed and treated for ovarian cancer before receiving an accurate diagnosis of Lobular breast cancer.

Also Read: New CCC MP Thokozani Khupe Opens Up About Health Struggles Amid Alarming Photos

Misdiagnosis and Grueling Treatment

Khupe detailed her harrowing journey through various misdiagnoses and treatments across Zimbabwe, South Africa, India, and eventually the United Kingdom.

According to ZimLive, in a powerful speech to fellow legislators, Thokozani Khupe revealed that she was wrongly diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which led to a protracted and agonizing treatment process.

“When I was first diagnosed in Zimbabwe, they said I had ovarian cancer, which had long gone. I proceeded to South Africa. Again, they said I had ovarian cancer stage 4.”

The misdiagnosis resulted in Khupe undergoing debilitating chemotherapy, with severe side effects that left her vomiting, experiencing diarrhoea, and draining up to 6 liters of fluid from her body every two weeks.

“I have never been sick like that in my entire life. I was vomiting to the extent that I had a bucket on the side of my bed all the time. I had terrible diarrhoea to the extent that I would sometimes mess myself,” she said.

Seeking Treatment Across Continents

After enduring the debilitating side effects of misdiagnosed treatment, Khupe sought help in India, encouraged by reports of advanced cancer care. Despite initial hope, the diagnosis remained ovarian cancer, and the treatments were ineffective.

“I started chemotherapy; I was supposed to do 18 cycles for 18 weeks. I was draining 6 litres of water every week,” she said.

The failure of treatment in India led her to the United Kingdom, where modern technology and thorough diagnostics finally provided clarity. She was finally diagnosed with the correct condition – lobular breast cancer.

“I then proceeded to the UK and did all the necessary tests, CT/Pet scans, bloods, and biopsies. The diagnosis was that I had Lobular breast cancer,” she explained.

Also Read: President Emmerson Mnangagwa Directs Government To Pay CCC MP Dr Thokozani Khupe Cancer Treatment

Accurate Diagnosis Brings Relief and Healing

With the right diagnosis, she finally received the right treatment. She praised Dr. Jonathan Krell in the UK for finally diagnosing her correctly and administering effective treatment.

The treatment which he prescribed for me did wonders to the extent that all the water in my stomach, the 6 litres I was draining every week, dried up, and that was a great relief for me because carrying an equivalent to 6kgs all the time was very uncomfortable and made me weak and more sick,” she said.

Thokozani Khupe described her drastic transformation from being gravely ill to regaining her health as a divine miracle. She expressed deep gratitude to God for giving her a second chance at life, referring to Him as her saviour, doctor, and protector.

“You all saw me when I came for the swearing-in-ceremony. I was a moving grave, but look at the transformation – this is God’s work. I would like to thank Him so very much for giving me a second chance to life, for being my Saviour, my doctor and my protector,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude and reverence

Calling for Improved Cancer Care

Thokozani Khupe emphasized the importance of accurate diagnosis and the need for the government to prioritize investment in research and development for new cancer treatments.

“It must not be a big deal for one to have stage 4 cancer because with modernisation, it can be treated, and I am a living testimony – I had stage 4 cancer, and here I am today standing in front of you and in good health,” Khupe said.

The former deputy prime minister also called for the country’s two public hospitals with cancer units, Mpilo and Parirenyatwa, to be fully equipped with state-of-the-art cancer diagnostic and treatment equipment.

“This will ensure that those with cancer get the right diagnosis from the onset because once you have the right diagnosis, it follows that you will get the right treatment,” she emphasized.

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