‘Carpe diem’ – seize the day

Nancy Muinjo is a charismatic, fun loving and driven woman despite the fact that she was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago and that seems not to deter her as she is living her life to the fullest.
The moment you walk into her office it is all smiles and laughter. Nancy (28) popularly know as Chi Chi in the media realms has a BA Degree in Media Studies from the University of Namibia (UNAM) and is currently studying for an MBA. She started her career as a radio presenter at the UNAM Radio at the tender age of 17 and also a TV presenter at NBC.
She is currently a Personal Assistant to Hon. Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration.
Nancy said that life is worth living and she does not understand why young Namibians are committing suicide so frequently and they should talk to someone about their problems before taking their own life.
“I get depressed sometimes because of the chemotherapy, my hair falling off, gaining weight etc, but I wake up in the morning but on my foundation and put a smile on my, because I know it is going to be a great day,” she said. Nancy said that when she got diagnosed with cancer she had a Mastectomy and went through intense chemotherapy and after that the cancer was in remission for about four years but when she went for a check up last year the cancer had spread to her spinal cord.
“My doctor predicted paralysis but after chemotherapy that did not happen and now it has spread to my lungs, but this time the chemotherapy is not that bad,” she said.

“I live a normal life, I take good care of myself and watch my diet and take each day as it comes, I always joke and say I am in extra time,” said Nancy. She is so grateful for her employer the Hon. Ivula-Ithana because some employers are very ignorant about the disease but the minister understands and that some companies do not hire people that have the disease because they think they will be a liability to the company.
“Which is not the case because she is a very productive, hardworking and career driven person,” she said. “Ignorance is the main cause that many people are dying from cancer, people she know the facts and not the myths about cancer,” she added.
“My motto in life is to seize the day “carpe diem”, its all about mind over matter, everybody goes through something,” she said. She thanked her family for always being there for her and being her support system.
As she walked me out of her office she greats everyone with a bubble hello and a smile on her face.