Marisa 'eM' Louw

When the doctor told me in August 2019 that I have Grade 3 Stage 2 breast cancer, I decided to document my journey. Firstly, writing is my way to deal with my emotions; secondly, I want to help others. I said to myself: "If my story touches one person's life and help them overcome their challenges, I can die knowing that I accomplished something." I have since been telling my story with absolute honesty. I share my deepest, darkest feelings and emotions. I narrate the good times and positive things. And I describe the terrible moments and negative things. My first blog entry was on  24 August 2019 . At the time, I was in denial, angry, and confused. Five days after my double mastectomy, in  September 2019 , cancer broke my spirit. By the time I was halfway through chemotherapy, in  December 2019 , I felt more positive again. But the lingering side effects of chemo drove me into  deep darkness  by May 2020. My GP started me on anti-depressants, and by  Decem...

In just a little over two months, it is #breastcancerawarenessmonth.   This message serves as a reminder to book your routine mammogram. All medical aids and hospital plans must pay for the procedure as part of your Screening and Prevention benefit. Remember, a family history starts somewhere. Don't think you are safe if there is no history of cancer in your family.  If you are planning a fundraiser or awareness event in October and looking for a speaker, don't hesitate to contact me at emlo@hotmail.co.za .  PS: If you do not have medical insurance, contact your nearest public breast clinic. SA has some of the best public breast clinics in the world! List of Public / Government Breast Clinics for mammograms Eastern Cape, East London - Frere Hospital   Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth - Livingston Hospital   Free State, Bloemfontein - Universitas Academic Hospital   Western Cape, Cape Town - Groote Schuur Academic Hospital  (Rated *****) Western Cape, Cape ...

Protocols for dealing with injured or compromised wildlife found You require a permit issued to treat, rear or keep any indigenous wildlife.  Because you “found it” does not make it yours.   Any treatment which needs to be undertaken on injured wildlife needs to be done by a qualified rehabilitation specialist or vet. (Authors: Pieter Saunders ,  Lynn Ravat , and Sigrid Oliver ) Firstly, when do you help a bird, and when do you leave it? If you can easily catch a bird, it most probably needs help! Even if the parents are around, they won't raise the baby on the ground or keep it warm. If a human can catch it, any predator (cat, dog, rat, other bird) can also. It needs help! The exception for this will be birds that live and breed on the ground. Fledglings learning to fly will be up in the tree around the nest; when they are ready to come down to the ground, it's difficult to catch them. If you can reach the nest of the baby bird (and you are sure it is the right nest...

For the past two years, people kept telling me: "Be gentle with yourself!" But, what does it mean? And, how does someone who is intrinsically motivated by self-drive, competition, and achievement unlearn a lifelong trait? Where does my self-drive come from? As a child, my parents and teachers urged me to perform - academically and in various extracurricular activities. I competed in multiple sport disciplines (athletics, tennis, horse riding, swimming, and ballet). I excelled in music (piano, guitar, recorder, voice, music theory), acting, modelling, and chess.  My father instilled in me his business acumen and drive. I grew up watching him run a successful butchery. He taught me about good customer service, sales and marketing, merchandising, payrolls, and business finance. By the time I turned 16, I knew every aspect of his trade and how to run a business.  I learned from him that providing for your family comes with immense responsibility. When he was sick, he couldn't...