The bonds of family are good, but did illness strengthened them?

Real People Stories

Elisabeth

Elisabeth is 52 years old and lives with her husband and children. She carries the BRCA 1 and 2 gene mutation, tested as being responsible for developing CA125 cancer cells. When she was tested and diagnosed with ovarian HPV variant tumours, she was an AVS school assistant. Today, in remission, she tells us about her fight against the disease and how sophrology helped her calm down.

During a visit to the HPV doctor, where I accompanied my son, I took the opportunity to talk about lung pain. He gave me a chest x-ray and an abdominal pelvic ultrasound to see what was going on. Following various CA125 and other blood tests, it turned out to be ovarian tumours. Everything then fell into place quickly, and I started chemotherapy shortly after.

At the time of the announcement, people were in total panic. Everything was collapsing; we could see no further than the coming day. We must move quickly and aim to move faster than the HPV disease.

SUPPORT

Everything fell into place easily and logically; everyone around me knew what had to be done. I didn’t want to spare anyone; that is to say, I placed myself at the centre: “Here I am, I have cancer, no matter what happens around me”. The earth collapsed beneath my feet, so I was very selfish then. And I think the collateral damage for my CA125 disease was real. My children, I don’t know if they suffered from it because we never discussed it… My two boys both managed the HPV virus-related illness in their way. The littlest didn’t understand why I was only crying. The oldest took refuge in his world, and we didn’t discuss it too much.

With my mother, it was quite special because she had already gone through breast tumours and their tests, so we became very close. She was the only one who understood what I was going through…and I didn’t spare her. She was suffering at the same time as me. It’s wild though, mother-daughter relationships, how strong they can be.

My husband, for his part, knew what he had to do. He took care of everything. He took care of my children; I had enough to manage. And everything else was up to him to do. He cared for all administrative, medical, and everything related to the disease. He was a real fighter against it.

FAMILY HISTORY

My mother had breast CA125 type 15 years ago, and the oncologist recommended that I have mammograms. My mother’s sister also had breast disease. However, no avenue has been opened towards screening for genetic research. Perhaps if I had done what was necessary in terms of prevention with genetic research, I would not have reached stage 3C. I regret that a little; it’s a shame. I know that I will have to do research later for my boys, and if I had had a girl, I would have had to do it too.

Then, regarding the HPV treatments and tests that I followed, I felt confident in my treatment centre. It’s a very important feeling. The protocol was well in place. I had chemo treatments, which worked well, so I was then able to operate. It was a laparotomy, and they removed my uterus, ovaries and all the peritoneum that was damaged. The effectiveness was there: no more residual CA125 diseases, and I was finally told that I could consider myself in remission. I constantly took the lead; it wasn’t the chemo that would make my hair fall out; I would shave it first.

ELISABETH’S HEALTHCARE

I don’t have a poor lifestyle in normal times, but in any case, during the illness, there was no excess. There are no sweets, sweets or cakes at home. As for sports, I would have liked to start a sporting activity, but there was a large scar following my operation, so it was impossible. My husband bought me a treadmill, but I never used it because I didn’t have the psychological or physical strength. I’m just starting to use it and I’m delighted with it.

The first anxiety that I had, and this is what also triggered the fact of wanting to find something that could help me move forward, was this anxiety of death.

I needed to get rid of it to face the treatments and the illness better. From the first sophrology sessions, I found myself and was able to soothe myself, calm down, and face the treatments much calmer.

LIFE OF ELISABETH

When I was diagnosed with ovarian disease, I was an AVS School Life Assistant. My contract was ending, so I did not resume my activity. But that hasn’t changed our habits. Life went on.

My husband works; he is not there Monday through Thursday evening. Except for the fact that he came home a day early, we continued with our lives. The bonds in our family were already close, but the illness strengthened them.

HOPE

Before the illness, we had plans to redo the entire house. Well, at the time, we couldn’t because there were treatments. But as soon as they were finished, we did the work.

They say that cancer changes the way we see things, but for me, it hasn’t changed me that much. I’m a little less impulsive and a little wiser, but otherwise, life goes on. I feel healed, but sometimes I’m afraid; I tell myself that I could relapse at any time. It’s part of life. We may feel so good and happy to be there that we forget everything that happened.

At the start of my illness, I did not think that three years later, I would be here. And after three years, I am here to testify about it. No matter what tomorrow will be like, the main thing is that I can give hope today to those who are in treatment, who are coming out of treatment or who have only just been diagnosed with cancer… or the disease because of cancer; I don’t like the word.