On Sunday evening, 49-year-old celebrity chef Fatima Sydow took to Instagram to share an update on her battle against cancer.
In May of this year, the Cape Malay cookbook author shared a victory dance with fans and followers on social media after receiving news that her tumour was shrinking.
Unfortunately, in Sydow’s most recent update posted to Instagram on Sunday, the celebrity chef shared that she is facing another setback in her fight against stage 4 Soft Tissue Sarcoma cancer.
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Sydow’s post reads:
‘Third year in, Soft tissue sarcoma stage 4 Cancer. An extremely rare and aggressive type of cancer. I am so grateful for the time granted to me thus far. So much mercy.’
Sydow was diagnosed with cancer in December 2020 and has been on a journey of remission and relapse in her treatment with chemotherapy.
She continues:
‘To all my friends, extended family and followers, I have some not-so-good news to share with you all.
My Chemotherapy treatment has stopped working; I got the results 10 days ago. The tumours are growing again, and we have kind of run out of options.
My character and nature will go on, and I will live each day to the fullest and to the best of my ability. I am waiting for the cold weather to go away so I can go sit in the garden and watch the birds with my binoculars. One of my favourite things to do is I am definitely just going to take it one day at a time. Spend as much time with my family and rest.’
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Despite her ongoing fight for good health, Sydow has always remained a beacon of positivity, bringing her warmth to South Africans’ hearts, plates and bookshelves with her culinary prowess.
In May earlier this year, Sydow launched her fourth book, ‘My Story, My Heritage’ with the title reaching bestseller status after only seven days on the shelf.
Concluding her post, Sydow expressed gratitude for the love and support along her journey, before reminding us of the big impact that ‘the little things’ have in life.
She says:
‘This journey has been a roller coaster of a ride… Emotionally, mentally and physically… But I can’t say it enough… I am so grateful for everything and all the love and support .. Alghamdullilah.
Love you all so much…
If you look close enough, it’s all in the little things.’
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Picture: @colcacchio / Instagram