Celebrity cook and author Fatima Sydow is cancer-free.
The 47-year-old took to Facebook this week to share the good news with her nearly 530 000 followers.
Fatima was diagnosed exactly a year ago when she found out that she had a growing tumour under her left foot.
The Penlyn Estate resident underwent successful chemotherapy to treat the soft tissue sarcoma in April this year and then in June announced that the cancer had returned, this time in her lungs.
Through it all, she has remained optimistic, sharing her feelings and photos of her bald head on social media after her hair fell out due to the chemo.
On Tuesday, the author of The Journey of Cape Malay Cooking, shared the latest developments in her battle, saying that she’s free of cancer but will have to have check-ups for the next two years.
She wrote on the Fatima Sydow Cooks Facebook page: “Salaam and Hello Everyone. Good news from doctor after my MRI AND CTSCAN... No sign of cancer in my body..no signs of regrowth...
“Will do test every 3 months for next 2 years to check should it return. Thought I’d share this wonderful news and just in time to celebrate with the December holidays..Its officially Festive season…” (sic)
Speaking to the Daily Voice, her twin sister and fellow foodie Gadija Sydow-Nordien said: “I am so happy for Fatima, we have prayed for this and now it’s happening.”
Actress Jill Levenberg commented Fatima’s post: “Thank you God!! This is the best news!!” while actress Euodia Samson simply said: “Wonderful!”
Currently battling cancer, fan Sharmie Vee said she was inspired by Fatima: “I have been following your journey and you have been an absolute inspiration to me and I’m sure to so many others out there going through the most with the fight against cancer. I start chemo in January and I’m not looking forward to it but this news brings so much hope.”
venecia.america@inl.co.za