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StoriesNewly married Cloé was only 23 when she was diagnosed. She shared her story to help raise
awareness of mBC.
This is Cloé’s story.
Diagnosis: The day I received the diagnosis was the worst day of my life. It felt like a bad dream. I was completely stunned. My parents would come with me each time I had to go to the hospital. But that time, I just had my husband with me. We thought the worst was over since I had been in remission for six months.
I gave my parents the news very bluntly over the phone. Thankfully, I did not have to tell my friends. My parents did that for me, which took a big load off my shoulders.
Treatment: It’s mainly my husband—we just got married in the summer - It’s mainly my husband - we got married in the summer - and my parents who take turns at home for treatments and appointments. I also have a little sister who is three years old. She motivates me to fight against this disease.
When I was 23, after my initial breast cancer diagnosis, I had a full mastectomy. New pain in my chest led to a consultation and that’s when they found metastases in my lungs. However, there is no history of cancer in the family…
Living with mBC: Before I was diagnosed, I lived like I had all the time in the world. When you’re in your twenties, you don’t think about death. I am feeling good now. I have learned to live with the diagnosis, even though there are always ups and downs!
Before I was diagnosed with mBC, I did not have any plans. I did not know what I wanted to do. Today, I know what I want to accomplish. I cherish my husband, my family, my friends and I want to see my little sister grow up. I have even developed an interest in natural products. One day I would like to develop my own products! I would also like to write and share my story and publish a book.
I want to be known as a person who was able to discover herself and push her limits despite the stumbles and setbacks. I want to convey a message of hope for those with metastatic breast cancer. I want to tell them that it’s not so fatalistic… it doesn’t necessarily mean the end.
However, it is important that people understand our distress. People are so poorly informed that they trivialize the disease. They want to create a stress-free and relaxed atmosphere but, in fact, that’s worse than just lending us an ear.
People don’t talk much about metastatic breast cancer because it’s taboo. People prefer stories with happy endings.
I am grateful that I have more strength and energy than I did at the start of the year. Thank goodness. I don’t think about the end….
This is Cloé’s story.
Diagnosis: The day I received the diagnosis was the worst day of my life. It felt like a bad dream. I was completely stunned. My parents would come with me each time I had to go to the hospital. But that time, I just had my husband with me. We thought the worst was over since I had been in remission for six months.
I gave my parents the news very bluntly over the phone. Thankfully, I did not have to tell my friends. My parents did that for me, which took a big load off my shoulders.
Treatment: It’s mainly my husband—we just got married in the summer - It’s mainly my husband - we got married in the summer - and my parents who take turns at home for treatments and appointments. I also have a little sister who is three years old. She motivates me to fight against this disease.
When I was 23, after my initial breast cancer diagnosis, I had a full mastectomy. New pain in my chest led to a consultation and that’s when they found metastases in my lungs. However, there is no history of cancer in the family…
Living with mBC: Before I was diagnosed, I lived like I had all the time in the world. When you’re in your twenties, you don’t think about death. I am feeling good now. I have learned to live with the diagnosis, even though there are always ups and downs!
Before I was diagnosed with mBC, I did not have any plans. I did not know what I wanted to do. Today, I know what I want to accomplish. I cherish my husband, my family, my friends and I want to see my little sister grow up. I have even developed an interest in natural products. One day I would like to develop my own products! I would also like to write and share my story and publish a book.
I want to be known as a person who was able to discover herself and push her limits despite the stumbles and setbacks. I want to convey a message of hope for those with metastatic breast cancer. I want to tell them that it’s not so fatalistic… it doesn’t necessarily mean the end.
However, it is important that people understand our distress. People are so poorly informed that they trivialize the disease. They want to create a stress-free and relaxed atmosphere but, in fact, that’s worse than just lending us an ear.
People don’t talk much about metastatic breast cancer because it’s taboo. People prefer stories with happy endings.
I am grateful that I have more strength and energy than I did at the start of the year. Thank goodness. I don’t think about the end….
