Tumour through my soul
The idea of writing this book simply just popped in to my mind.
Language has been a part of my life for as long as I remember. I spoke it, I studied it, and I always wanted to use them on paper. Seeing the pencil moving on the white sheet and reading the words flowing from it… that was my way of doing art!
Now I had to teach myself the skill of modern writing.
My ignorance about the way in which my body changed also guided me to learn more about the medical arena in which the tumour lived, and encouraged me to try and help other patients. Simple words to tell you what went wrong with our bodies. Plain words to tell us how we were built, and how the neurosurgeons would try to remove the tumors. I am discussing the bad, and the good results. I want to explain to patients just how capable we actually are to carry our bodies from the old world we were in, to a bright new future.
Grasp the talents you have with both hands and stimulate the newly ‘sculptured’ brain to exercise deliberately, reading from left to right, or ‘reversed’.
What People Are Saying
Some reviews of ‘Tumour Through My Soul’.
‘Tumour Through My Soul’ (also available in Afrikaans) is an autobiography about a patient’s intense journey through the medical sphere. It explores the way in which our bodies may change because of brain tumours and medical interventions and procedures. It is about the effect tumours could have on your life and soul. Physical, mental and spiritual healing processes are explored. You experience the intense fear and ignorance of the patient and all those involved, in the struggle to overcome adversity.
I highly recommend that anyone in or entering a medical profession should read Sandra’s story.
As a medical professional it is imperative that the patient be assessed holistically. Not only treating patients symptomatically, but as a sum total of all symptoms, thereby ensuring that something like a tumour goes undiagnosed to the detriment of the overall health and wellbeing of the patient.
Sandra’s use of language to describe people and events kept me turning the pages. I really enjoyed the creative way she used vocabulary to ‘paint’ a picture in the reader’s mind.
Charmaine Stroombergen
Retired lecturer of Pathology and Clinical studies at the Institute of Natural Health
I started reading the book after lunch and cannot put it down! My heart goes out to you, and you are one strong, brave and determined woman.
Steph Meyer
An outstanding story of courage and determination written in an endearing and witty style. Virtually no other family today is untouched by the impact of cancer. This elegantly written tale is a cleverly composed human interest story relevant
to all patients or those with loved ones battling the disease. A deeply insightful guide on how to cope with these life changing issues.
Dr. Frederick Mostert
Sandra seems to understand Hebrews 11:1, trust is TOTAL, reliance on a trustworthy God. Consequence of this trust is a blessing.
Butch Maier
About Sandra
Sandra vanStaden van Tonder was born in Johannesburg in 1959.
She and her husband, Chris, have been married for more than 30 years. They have two beautiful daughters, Nandhi and Kailie.
The family replenishes their souls daily on their peaceful property in Mogale City, South Africa.
Sandra’s brain tumour was diagnosed in 2003 and she walked a challenging road from ilness to healing.
In 2006 she started writing her book, Tumour Through My Soul (available in both Afrikaans and English), allowing readers to walk the path with her and experience her passion for words.
In 2018 she started creating activity books in English and Afrikaans. Children, youths and even adults can get to experience the Bible in a fun, informative and interactive way.
