Update on Sidney Bernic

2009-08-11T11:26:00.000+02:00

A memorial service for Sidney Bernic
will take place on
Friday the 14^th August 2009
at 14H00

at New Life Church
1 Grosvenor Rd
Bryanston
Gauteng
Enquiries : Ina Wride 0115491105 or 082 412 1978

2009-08-08T00:00:00.002+02:00

It is with deepest regret that I inform you that

Sidney Bernic

passed away
on Friday the 7^th August 2009 at 6:10pm
surrounded by his family.

All of your love and support helped him through a very difficult time.

The family would like to thank you all your support and encouragement.

Sidney was a great man and an inspiration to many.

Sidney we will miss you.

Funeral arrangements will be advised shortly.

Ina Wride
082 412 1978

Update for July 2009

2009-07-22T00:25:00.006+02:00

Dear Family and Friends of Sidney Bernic,

Sidney has asked me to update his blog for him.

10th July 2009
Sidney consulted with Dr Gerrie Lindeque in Parys who has had very positive results with the treatment he offers to cancer patients.

11th July 2009
Sidney celebrated his 56th birthday with a few of his family and friends at his home in Bryanston.

13th July 2009
Sidney and his family travels on the Blue Train to Cape Town. The intention was for them to travel down to the Wildeness to spend a few days with his brother Colin Bernic.

18th July 2009
Sidney and his family returned to Johannesburg to resume his treatment as soon as possible with Dr Gerrie Lindeque in Parys.

Sidney is very grateful for the love and support from all of you and apologises for not taking any phone calls, but promises to return all those calls once he feels better. In the meantime if you have any message for Sidney, please email him at sbernic@westwing.co.za or add a message to this blog by clicking on the link below or call his office on 0115491105.

Regards, Ina Wride

2009-05-15T04:36:00.003+02:00

Hi everyone. Thank you for all the enquiries as to how I am doing. As I have said before, this is without doubt the most challenging time of my life, and I pray that there will never be anything greater than this in the future. As strong as I thought I was I have realized at times I am quite a ‘wimp’. If it was not for the support of my family and friends I could never have survived this horrible ordeal.

After my last update I had another 3 bouts of radiation on my chest and stomach but this became too much. I told the oncologist that I thought he had me in the wrong ‘weight’ category. It felt like I was in the ring with Mike Tyson and I should have been in with Baby Jake. We agreed to stop the radiation and do a CAT scan two weeks later, which has now been done – but that last bout of radiation really has put me through the hoops. But none the less I have had lots of time to literally cry out to God. Being confronted with your mortality is quite an experience, as you can well imagine your priorities change. The scan from a medical science view point was not positive but it certainly got me praying and trusting God in a very focused way and if there is one conclusion I have come to with all of this is that He made me and He is the only one that can totally and completely heal me, that doesn’t mean I will ignore medical science etc. but I really am trusting Him ultimately. At any rate I am determined that there is too much to still be done in this little life of mine and cancer, or any other sickness or disease is just not going to stop me from reaching my full potential and helping others reach theirs. Yes the priorities and methodology may change but the end goal remains – leave some footprints in the sands of time, however big or small, that will make me and the people that I love and care about inspired and motivated by.

You have ALL been special to me and I am truly grateful that we have crossed paths and I remain confident that there is still much for us to share. Keep looking for those wonderful opportunities to positively input and change the lives of those you interact with daily. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE - TAKE TIME to rest, smell the roses and appreciate your life.

Love you guys, Sidney and family.

Saturday, 18 April 2009 02:23:44 AM

2009-04-18T03:18:00.001+02:00

Hi everybody. Sorry I have not kept this blog updated more regularly for all of you that have wanted an update.

About 3 weeks ago I completed the stereotype pinpoint radiation on the ‘tumour’ that was sitting behind my left eye, then I had a break for about 2 weeks and have reduced my cortisone intake substantially since then which has also help me ‘feel’ better.

Since last Tuesday (apart from the Easter weekend), I have been having radiation treatment every day on my chest and stomach area. This is a series of 31 treatments of which I have now completed 7. It’s all actually quite quick; I’m in and out of the clinic in about 20 minutes.

Sometimes I feel exhausted a couple hours after the treatment and right now I have some very weird sleeping habits. As you will notice from the time that I am typing this update, I spend a large part of the night awake so I have to make up with some ‘cat naps’ throughout the day.

These funny sleeping patterns have been very beneficial in some respects – my garage is pretty much tidy now and VERY organised, so is my office at home. I cannot believe how much ‘junk’ I have thrown away. All my photographs are pretty much ‘catalogued as well.

I have spent some time at the office and in several meetings, but have managed to keep that down to a minimum. My partners, management teams and business associates have really been so phenomenal; I almost think they are enjoying the ’peace and quiet’ without me around.

I know I may sound like a stuck record (for those of you who know what a record is!), but really, thank you for your concern and particularly all the prayers, I truly believe that that has been the biggest positive factor to my constant improvement and I would ask you to please continue. I am fully convinced that God Almighty is the bottom line answer. I know that I/we have still got too many things to get done before the game is over, so thank you!

I know that many are experiencing challenging times out there, for whatever reason, physically, financially etc., but if I can remind you to encourage people in the words of Robert Schuller “Tough times never last, tough people do” and I would add tough, positive thinkers and speakers is what we need lots of right now, not doom and gloom. Stay strong. I love and appreciate you all.

Regards Sidney and family

Dictated by Sidney Bernic 19th March 2009

2009-03-19T00:06:00.005+02:00

First of all my apologies for this late update to all you wonderful people who continue to express your concerns by further interest in my current condition. Thank you again and please keep praying, there is no question in my mind that this is the ultimate answer to this whole disease. Last week I made a decision that I will not be a cancer survivor but that I will be a cancer killer; I will not lie down and give this any credence.

I have had a number of radiation treatments and I have agreed to continue them, I think the most negative part of this treatment seems to be so far the cortisone tablets, but each day things are getting better and better. I am generally eating a lot more food but sometimes forget that I have a far smaller stomach than I used to have.

You cannot believe how important all your encouragement and prayers have been for me and my family and I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart for you all.

You all know me to be a fighter and although this is most probably the biggest fight of my life, I eagerly together with all of you look forward to the victory, my complete and utter recovery and the ability to spend time with all of you soon again.

Lots of Love Sidney and Family

Dictated by Sidney : 26th February 2009

2009-02-28T23:28:00.006+02:00

To all my friends, colleagues and business associates,

Firstly let me begin by saying how absolutely astounded I have been with your concerns and support during this very difficult period. You have all been absolutely amazing.

The overwhelming number of telephone calls to myself, my family and my offices has been quite daunting.

I have avoided many many phone calls in order to get as much rest as possible, forgive me if I had not answered your call/calls.

This blog is designed to try and keep you up to date as to what was and has been going on.

The 5^th January 2009 was the first indication that there was anything wrong. I woke up with a terrible headache behind my left eye and quite honestly, I don’t get sick but I decided to get up and take a couple of Panados to get rid of the headache but I was very wobbly on my feet. However I managed to take the Panado and lay down for a couple of hours. After that period of rest the headache was gone but I was still terribly wobbly. I then received a call from a friend of mine who asked what the matter was, she said I sounded terrible and that I should contact the emergency service – which I duly did. Two hospitals, a few doctors, a few x-rays and a few scans later the doctors determined that I had a tumour sitting at the base of my esophageus on top of the stomach which had previously been missed diagnosed as a hiatus hernia and that immediate surgery was required to remove the tumour. A six hour operation was planned for the following day. Quite a shock for somebody like me who believed I lived a relatively healthy life.

I spend 2.5 weeks in hospital and am now at home continuing my recovery.

All the medical background I am giving you must be overshadowed by my complete and utter faith that my heavenly father is greater than any sickness or disease.

Although the tumour has been removed the cancer has continued to try and kill me. However I will not submit to this cowardly disease and I pray you will continue to remain positive with me and my family that this battle will be won.

Much has been learnt out of this occurrence which hopefully I will share with you in future, like never saying never.

The current status is that I have agreed to stereotype pinpoint radiation treatment which will begin in the near future to deal with the remaining cancer cells/tumours.

I am fully convinced that God will bring me through this difficult and daunting challenge (probably the biggest challenge in my life to date) but I must say spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally this has been quite something. I would never have believed this would happen to me but as I said earlier we (myself and my family) with your help and my wonderful friends I will win this battle. I have too many things I still need to do.

Once again thank you for everything and I will keep you up to date.

Sidney and Family