You don't realise how strong you really are, until you fight this fight

While many of us were busy living out our new year resolutions to become healthier in January 2020, something Mr Francois Vogel had set out to do, he found a lump on his left side.

Numerous medical consultations and a few tests later, Francois was presented with some life-changing news. He was diagnosed with fourth-stage Mantle Cell Lymphoma - a cancer of the lymphocytes, a specific type affecting the white blood cells.

Being a loving husband and a father of two little girls, gave Francois three great reasons to fight this dreaded disease with everything he had.

"We decided there and then that we were going to fight this as a family. I have small kids; I was doing it for them."

Seven days before South Africa's initial lockdown, Francois was admitted to hospital and began the fight for his life. From April to August 2020, he underwent eight intensive sessions of chemotherapy, rendering him too weak to run his Cape Town-based construction business at full capacity.

"With my wife working in essential services, I was home alone with the kids during lockdown. I had to try manage the side effects of my chemotherapy while taking care of them."

After a course of his treatment, on 14 October 2020 - the day after his Birthday - Francois was admitted to hospital for high-dose chemotherapy treatment, followed by an Autologous stem cell transplant. During this time, with a lowered blood count and compromised immune system, Francois experienced some life-threatening complications.

"Things took a turn for the worst and I almost never made it out alive."

"The human mind doesn't remember pain - whatever you go through you tend to forget that. Emotions you remember, not pain. All for a good reason."

But thankfully, with a fighting spirit and the will to return home to his family, Francois recovered from his setback and was discharged after spending 25 gruelling days in isolation.

"The moment you speak to another cancer patient; you just know that they know."

In January 2021, Francois underwent his first maintenance chemotherapy treatment session, which unfortunately had to be put on hold, due to the intestinal damage the initial high-dose chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant had caused. From then on, his body was unable to absorb any form of nutrients and for nine months thereafter, he experienced debilitating chronic diarrhoea and the excruciating pain that accompanies it. It was only after this problem was addressed with immunosuppressants and high doses of cortisone, that he could resume his maintenance therapy in October.

"For eight months of this year, it was impossible to work."

"I lost 43kg in total. I was a shadow of who I used to be."

Being a business owner, Francois had thankfully realised the importance of always having disability cover in place.

And as a result of his necessary isolation and recovery period throughout his journey, he was able to claim against his Capital Disability LifeTime Benefit on his Discovery Life plan. This benefit helps you to regain your lifestyle and independence after a life-changing event by providing you with upfront and ongoing payouts.

"I felt well-supported during the claims process by everyone who was overseeing it on my behalf. I'd definitely give Discovery Life a 10 out of 10."

"My broker, Pieter Sarkady, was a great help. He handled everything for me. He and his team were efficient and very empathetic."

Pieter adds, "To receive the devastating news of stage 4 Cancer, right at the start of the COVID-19 lockdown is enough to break the camel's back. But Discovery Life lived up to expectations. From the first interaction of lodging Mr Vogel's claim, right through the process up to the payment of the claim, I can honestly say that the experience with Discovery Life went smooth and quick!"

Having gained back half of the weight he lost, Francois is now feeling much stronger and is pleased to be back at work. The events which took place just under two years ago feels like a lifetime to him, and quite understandably so. With that said, he has learned the true value of inner strength and has also been able to take things a little easier.

"When you go through something like this, you learn not to sweat the small stuff... At the end of the day you have people behind you, but when it comes to cancer, if you don't lead your own fight, you won't make it."

By having a Capital Disability LifeTime Benefit in place on his Discovery Life policy, Francois was able to rest assured knowing that his financial needs were supported at a time when he had to put all his strength into getting well for his family. Life can take some unexpected turns, but having protective cover like this in place can help to make the journey a little lighter.