Testimonials

Dear Dr Struwig, Amori, Sister Beryl and Kash Many thanks for all your care and hard work to make this time I could spend improving my life cheerfully and painlessly. Dr Struwig thank you for your magic in theater and sense of humor that carried me through this. It was my first time really under the knife and you made it all rather painless. Amori thank you for all your patience in describing all the procedures etc. to me initially, the texts with the healing process plus completing all the documentation from all the service providers I needed to use. It really was a lot. I truly appreciate it. To Sister Beryl thank you so much for all the care in hospital and the Drs rooms. You are a saint. My Mom and I learnt a lot from your techniques in taking care of the wounds,. To Kash and the other receptionists, thank you for your kind service always. Also for keeping me up to date with everything. It’s going to be very weird not to drive to the hospital now and come and see you all. It has been life changing and enriching. This has also given me and my Mom an opportunity to bond, in a way we haven’t done for years. So thank you so much. I will keep you posted on the further healing that will take place.J-NLAugust 2019

Good Morning, I know I can share this with you as you have been a part of my journey. Today 26.04.2019 I woke up 2 years ago with a dimple in my right breast. I wondered what that was but deep inside I knew I am in trouble (working in medical work doesn’t help). I still remember how hard it was not to be afraid. How hard it is not to withdraw from the world. How hard it is to not allow your mind to run away with you. How hard it is not to be scared to death and how hard it was to take my friends, family and doctors hands to walk this journey. Being an independent and strong woman I didn’t want to lean on anyone but I learned that you can’t push those away that wants to be there for you. On the 02.05.2019, 2 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The fear that ran through my body and mind was incredible. The decisions you have to make is overwhelming. Do you do a lumpectomy, single mastectomy or a double mastectomy. Do you do immediate reconstruction or take the reconstruction slowly. Do you fight and do chemo or do you say an operation is just enough. I still remember that Dr. Struwig was on leave the 31st of May 2017 when I had my double mastectomy and he came to visit me 5 days after my operation in Cedar Ward. I remember when he sat down with me and with his smile, gentle words and knowledge he put all my fears regarding my reconstruction to rest. I still remember him telling me to go through the chemo and when I am done he will be there for me to help me with the reconstruction. I immediately felt at ease and I knew that if anyone is going to build me boobs it will be him and only him. I did the chemo, and in May 2018 I started the reconstruction journey with such an excellent doctor and his team. I sometimes wonder why I got breast cancer but then I look at all the wonderful people I have met in these2 years and if I didn’t get cancer I would not have known they even exist. If I didn’t get cancer how am I going to educate men and woman to do their checks. If I didn’t get cancer how would I support those that do. Thank you for making me feel like a woman again. Not having breasts doesn’t define you as a person or as a woman however looking in a mirror and seeing the scars and no breasts, you can’t help but feel incomplete however with this team I can with confidence go forward and face the world. I do feel like a woman again, even though my last surgery is still to be done. Having Boobs is awesome!!!!!!!.May 2019

Hello Dr Strüwig (and associates) Dr Dehan “rescued” me from Melanoma at the end of February, 2013. I recently went through my records and was astonished to discover how quickly time has passed, five plus, soon to be six, years ago. At the recommendation of Dr Dehan, I, on returning to my corner of the woods in Queenstown, approached a dermatologist / plastic surgeon in East London, Doctor Tim Perks by name, and asked him to do the recommended “Mole-Mapping” for me at required intervals (I live in Queenstown, and East London (200km) is the closest place for specialist medical care. Dr Tim Perks seems to be very satisfied with me, because, at my last mole-mapping session on 1 October 2018 he said to me : “See you in two years’ time” (as he has done for a few years now). This surely shows how accurate and thorough the treatment I received from Dr Dehan has been. For this I am deeply, deeply, grateful, and even if I am communicating with you, Dr Dehan, after so many years, I, in my thoughts have never ceased to thank you. The life of a very dear friend of mine, the former Catholic Bishop of Port Elizabeth, Bishop Michael Coleman’s life was ended by Melanoma (he died on 17 December 2011). He had been well treated, was in remission, but it was not noticed that the melanoma had returned… and then it was too late: it had entered the brain of this dear friend of mine. In describing what had happened to me, I sometimes say to people that Dr Dehan even seemed apologetic: “I had to cut very deep,” he said, “to make sure I got everything.” Well I’d rather have a hole in my back, than be “extinguished” by melanoma. On the contrary, the “hole” in my back is a like a trophy!! “He [the doctor] did it well!!.You bet he did! Dr Dehan please receive my very, very grateful THANK YOU for what you did for me end of February, 2013 (I have even forgotten the exact day). May God bless your work. May God be praised for the kindness, the enormous expertise, the helpfulness, the cheerfulness and good humour with which He has blessed you, Dr Dehan. Yours very sincerelyFr B J RDecember 2018

Dr Dehan Ek het al verskeie kere gaan sit en dan debatteer woorde van dank en nostalgie met mekaar… Die nuusbrief was bevesting dat 2017 ‘n seisoen van ‘challenges’, keuses en baie besluite was wat nou uiteindelik weggepak kan word. Dr Dehan… dankie vir jou humor en deernis tydens my operasie (so ‘n bitter seer gebeurtenis). Jou positiewe uitkyk oor die lewe en weereens humor met elke opvolg besoek terwyl jou Professionalisme enmenswees nogsteeds hand-aan-hand loop. Die aanhaling van ‘Sheri S Bessi’ I takes just one taste of hope to turn someones upside down world right side up… In my lewe het jy presteer in jou lewensdoel… jou handewerk is ‘close to perfection’ I’m not giving up… inside-out! Be blessed…SHJanuary 2018

Thank you. Thank you for your informative newsletter. I receive many, many emails and have to point out that yours is always one that I read from beginning to end. Thank you for making the time to write these Newsletters, for making each and every patient feel like the most important patient and for being just the caring practitioners that you are! You both worked miracles on K. I still marvel when I look at her scar on her arm. I sincerely hope that your patients express their gratitude at the amazing job, passion and practice that you have. Thank you so much for making such a difference. Kindest RegardsDPJuly 2017

Hi Dr Struwig, Fantastic article, what a great way to start my Friday. I thought I should drop you quick mail just to touch base and say thank you. In late 2012, I was sitting in Blaauwberg hospital after an accident in the gym left me with a severely severed and compound fractured (wedding ring) finger. I remember it like it was yesterday, It was around 7pm on a Thursday evening. The resident Dr on shift that evening, after x-rays and inspection, advised me that due to the severe nature of said compound fracture my only option was amputation. Naturally, this isn’t something you want to hear on a casual Thursday eve, especially if you had made plans to for drinks with a gorgeous woman you’ve had your eyes on for quite some time. lol Eventually I managed to convince the Dr to call in the “big guns”, in the hopes of saving my finger even though odds were against me. After about an hour of waiting, due to you literally leaving your home and family to drive all the over to Blaauwberg hospital just to see if my finger could even be saved………. In walks Dr Struwig. After a glimpse at my finger and the Dr on call explaining my situation , you took off your jacket, sat down, and with a confident grin said to me “I’ll have you out of here in 20 min, finger intact”. The passion, precision and finesse with which you work, is superseded only by your love for sports cars. Considering I am just as car besotted and was working for BMW at the time, we had lots to talk about. Before I knew it, I was all stitched up and ready to go. Before leaving, because of the antibiotics you had given me, I cheekily asked if it would be ok to have a drink, to which your replied “have 3″….. suffice to say, DAY MADE. So Thank you Dr, you are a true master of your craft and I cannot speak highly enough of you. I trust this mail finds you well and wish you nothing but the best going forward. Have a fantastic weekend.JPdPJuly 2015

Dear Dr Struwig, at the end of April, this year, my daughter celebrated her 21st birthday. Eight years ago you inserted a prosthetic implant under the pectoral muscle, after I had my right breast removed because of cancer. To date it has given me no problems. While celebrating her birthday, I realised with gratitude that I had not only survived the operation, but have just been given the all clear for another year of health. I appreciate the time, effort and friendliness which you brought to this situation. My daughter was just entering her teens at the time, but is now a young woman in her third year of university and enjoying it. I am alive and with appreciation, and thanks, have been able to watch her growth.MPDecember 2014

I want to give a big thank you to all, Dr Struwig, Elsabe, Linda and Amori for the excellent treatment we have received thus far and for making the experience much more easier to cope and deal with. To Elsabe the biggest hug ever for always being there when I’m on a low or just feeling down even when not working. You have become my pillar of strength in the past year and no words or gifts can express what I feel and will ever be enough to say thank you. To Dr Struwig I want to say, You are the best and your humor and smile every time we see you just makes everything so much easier. I can never say enough thank you’s to you for making W your project and to always show so much care and concern and I have Faith that before you retire, (haha) that you will find a cure for W’s condition. To Amori a big thank you for always worrying about W’s education and for the encouragement to him to always give his best and not to let this keep him back and for always looking at ways as to what will work and to try anything and everything to find a cure. To Linda a huge thank you for that smile every time we enter the door and for trying to accommodate us with the appointments, as working parents it’s not always easy but you go out of your way to assist in making it convenient for us even though at times I know it’s impossible. Thank You,RHOctober 2014

Dear Dr Struwig, at the end of April, this year, my daughter celebrated her 21st birthday. Eight years ago you inserted a prosthetic implant under the pectoral muscle, after I had my right breast removed because of cancer. To date it has given me no problems. While celebrating her birthday, I realised with gratitude that I had not only survived the operation, but have just been given the all clear for another year of health. I appreciate the time, effort and friendliness which you brought to this situation. My daughter was just entering her teens at the time, but is now a young woman in her third year of university and enjoying it. I am alive and with appreciation, and thanks, have been able to watch her growth.MPDecember 2014

Allow me to thank you for everything you have done to ensure the smooth process of my surgery in Cape Town. I have safely returned to Namibia and my ear is so far doing well as I am following your guidelines exactly as discussed. A big thank you especially to Amori with all the help with my arrangements and administrative requirements, I am very grateful to you and the rest of your team who were always helpful and friendly telephonically and when I went in for my appointments in person. The level of professionalism and efficiency is well worth mentioning, as I have never come across such service inNamibia to date. Surgery is not a pleasant experience to undergo, but your practice has certainly benchmarked alevel of service that makes the experience pleasant. Please extend my sincere thanks to your team, from reception to accounts to your wound nurse Elsabe – losing my ear was traumatic, but the gift of my new ear with all its adjustments in between has changed my life and confidence forever.Welda, NamibiaNovember 2013

It has been nearly seven years since I was wheeled in as a crumbled mess into your surgery after hours. I had an accident, falling down a navel ladder. The skin on my scalp had peeled off from nape to forehead, hair and all. By some sort of miracle, you not only cleaned up the bloody mess and you stitched the skin back over my scalp, under local anaesthetic of course. The miracle continued. My hair actually grew back without changing colour. Every time I look at myself in the mirror I mean to write and thank you. Finally, this is it, complete with photograph taken recently on safari in the bushvedlt. I am now eighty three years old. Like Johnny Walker, I am still going strong?DavidJuly 2013