Divine timing: how a sinus infection led to life-saving cancer diagnosis

WHAT began as a stubborn sinus infection turned into a life-changing diagnosis for 65-year-old Shirley Reddy of Hillary. 

The retiree, grandmother, and yoga enthusiast, never expected that a routine visit to her long-time GP would reveal something far more serious than a nasal blockage - stage 1 breast cancer.

“I honestly thought it was just my sinuses acting up. I tried steaming, home remedies, and even went to two different doctors who gave me antibiotics, but nothing worked.”

Amidst this, she had been preparing for cataract surgery on her right eye. But when her GP, Dr Luxmi Naidoo, returned to South Africa and resumed her practice, Reddy decided to seek her opinion, something she now called divine timing.

“She looked at me and said, ‘If this doesn’t clear, you’ll need a drainage. But in the meantime, go for a mammogram’. I laughed and said, ‘Are you kidding me? At my age?’ And she told me straight: ‘I’m not asking, I’m telling you'.”

Despite her initial hesitation, having already postponed her cataract operation three times, Reddy finally heeded her doctor’s advice. 

“My husband insisted I go. I made the appointment on a Wednesday and by Friday I was at Jackpersadh Radiology. That decision saved my life.”

What followed was a series of events she never imagined: a mammogram, an ultrasound, a biopsy, and finally, a diagnosis that shook her husband and son but barely rattled her.

“When the doctor told me, ‘I don’t have good news,’ I just said, ‘Okay, tell me what it is, and I’ll deal with it.’ I didn’t panic. I didn’t cry. I just said, ‘Let’s fight this'.”

The lump - a 1.5cm mass in her right breast - was cancerous but caught early. 

Reddy’s oncologist moved quickly, referring her to a breast cancer specialist who scheduled surgery for September 8 at Ascot Park Hospital.

“I still went ahead and did my cataract op on the other eye on September 1. I was not going to let anything stop me from ticking off my to-do list.”

The surgery was a success. 

“Not even a bit of pain. There was discomfort, sure, the drainage machine, the stockings, the drip but no pain. I kept walking, breathing, and meditating. I was so at peace.”

The support she received, she said, was “unimaginable.” 

From family and neighbours to her medical team and cancer support organisation Reach for Recovery, Reddy felt wrapped in love and strength.

“They could not believe it. Everyone was shocked. I live a healthy life, I do yoga, meditation, I am spiritually grounded. But that’s the thing: cancer does not discriminate.”

Following her operation, her healing progressed faster than expected. Within three weeks, the surgical wound had healed almost completely. 

Radiation therapy is now scheduled to begin in November, with six weeks of daily treatment. Fortunately, chemotherapy may not be necessary.

“I am ready for the next chapter. This was caught at stage 1. Had it not been for my GP, I might not have known until it was too late. She was my guardian angel.”

Now, Reddy is on a mission to raise awareness.

“To every woman over 40, please go do your mammograms. Do not wait until it’s too late. And if you are diagnosed, remember this: stay strong, stay positive, and do not let fear take over. Cancer is fixable. Life is meant to be lived.

“I do not have good days or bad days. I live every day like it’s normal. I’m still the same Shirley. Maybe even stronger. Keep a strong, open mind. Believe you will be cured. Do not let negativity win. Share your story. Let people know there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am happy to say I am a survivor. I fought a good, pain-free fight and I came out victorious,” said Reddy. 

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