Audrey hasn’t just beaten the odds – she celebrated them, riding a carousel with her chemotherapy drip in tow and turning her cancer victory into a moment of pure, unstoppable joy.
South Africa (21 January 2025) – When life gives you hurdles, it’s easy to focus on the struggle. But every now and then, someone comes along and shows us how to embrace the journey with unshakable joy.
Audrey Matthee is one of those people. Her story, shared by Albert Bredenhann, owner of PixelPro Media, has not only captured hearts but sparked a wave of hope, inspiration and positivity across social media.
The day began like any other for Audrey and Albert in the Oncology Department in Pretoria. As the slow, steady rhythm of a chemotherapy drip echoed in the background, time seemed to crawl. But Audrey’s eyes held a spark of something more.
“You know,” she said suddenly, looking at Albert, “there’s something I’ve wanted to do for ages.”
“What’s that?” he asked, intrigued.
“I really want to ride the carousel at The Grove. On one of those horses that go up and down,” she replied with a quiet but determined smile.
Albert glanced at the drip, then back at Audrey. In that moment, he knew exactly what needed to happen. He approached the nurses, and to his delight, they didn’t just agree – they joined in making it possible. Within minutes, Audrey’s dream was set in motion. The drip could wait; the carousel was calling.
At The Grove, Audrey stood before the white-and-gold carousel horse, a picture of resilience and determination. With the nurses’ help, she climbed onto the horse, her chemotherapy bag still connected. One nurse carefully held the bag as she walked alongside the carousel, ensuring the treatment continued uninterrupted. The lights flickered, the cheerful music played, and the carousel began to turn – a blend of reality and magic.
But the real magic happened mid-ride. As Audrey floated past Albert, her voice rang out with an unexpected announcement.
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The news hit Albert and the nurses like a lightning bolt. Tears flowed, hands were held, and a moment of pure celebration unfolded.
Audrey’s joy was infectious as she called out, “I just had to do something special to celebrate!”
Her laughter filled the air, and the carousel turned into a stage for her victory, a symbol of hope, triumph, and life.
Albert shared the story on his Facebook and TikTok, which has since gone viral, with thousands of likes and hundreds of shares. And social media has been alight, with heartwarming comments from people who have been moved by Audrey’s courage and zest for life.
One commenter wrote, “I just sat crying tears of joy for her results, for her incredible strength, and for the way nothing gets her down. Her beautiful smile never fades, even when she goes through so much. Audrey, you are an amazing person and such an example and inspiration to so many! All glory to our Father who carries you through this!!”
“What an inspiration, Audrey. What you might not realise is that, unconsciously, you’ve shown others in their darkest moments that GOD is great, and your work here among us is far from finished. You are here to testify that cancer is just a hurdle in life that can be overcome if you persevere and believe. Your journey is far from over—believe me, I’ve been there and know what I’m talking about. Every day is a reason to celebrate because we don’t know what tomorrow holds. Thank you for your incredible zest for life; you give us hope again,” another shared.
And yet another added, “I’m in tears as I read this… Tears of joy! Audrey Matthee, you deserve life. You give hope to others fighting this awful cancer! Thank you for continuously sharing the story with us, Albert Bredenhaan.”
But Audrey’s carousel ride wasn’t just about ticking off a wish; it was a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the importance of celebrating every victory, no matter how small.
To Audrey, thank you for reminding us to cherish the small moments, to find joy in unexpected places, and to never stop believing in brighter days. You’ve inspired a community, given hope to others, and proven that sometimes, life’s greatest celebrations come from the simplest dreams – a carousel ride, a moment of laughter and the courage to keep going.
by 
