I’m Stephanie, a French woman living in New Zealand. On a Friday night at the end of November 2021, I discovered a lump in my right breast.
I knew immediately. A panicked feeling caught me. I couldn't believe it. My brain just stopped working, I was overwhelmed. I talked with my girlfriends during the weekend, and they advised me to ask for a doctor appointment on Monday, as soon as possible. The doctor referred me to the breast clinic.
Two weeks later, I had a mammogram and an ultrasound. They did a biopsy and put a clip into my breast. A week later, my doctor told us the disappointing news that I had breast cancer. It was stage 4. I was 49 years old and I was devastated.
What started with a lump in the right breast turned out to be stage 4 breast cancer. At first, they thought it was stage 1 and told me that it was curable.
Unfortunately, an MRI revealed that my cancer has spread to my liver. My doctor asked us to come back urgently. I knew when I saw her face that something was wrong. The diagnosis wasn't the same if it was stage 4.
The doctor didn't talk much about it, and I didn’t ask. However, once I googled “metastasis breast cancer”, I read that it is not good. I also read that I could have 2 years, more or less. That certainly sounded frightening and worrying. I was also tired all the time.
I received the news as if someone had punched me in my stomach. I couldn't believe it. One day, everything was ok, the day after, my life became a nightmare. The fear and anger was overwhelming. I was furious with myself because a few months before the diagnosis, I received an email about the routine mammogram offered by the government but I didn't go.
After learning that I have stage 4 breast cancer, I started to get panic attacks during the nights. I cried a lot. I found myself consumed by a sense of powerlessness and vulnerability.
After my diagnosis, I made significant lifestyle changes. I transitioned to a healthier diet and cut out processed foods. Even though I didn’t drink much alcohol usually, I stopped drinking alcohol entirely after being diagnosed.
My doctor came up with a treatment plan consisting of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. I also did a bit of research on these treatments. I finally felt relieved and motivated after the treatment plan was confirmed.
My doctor declared that my cancer is in remission. I’m still on immunotherapy to keep my disease under control. I’m also on an alternative treatment called Gerson therapy. I’m certainly more hopeful than before.
I was hit by side effects like fatigue, hair loss, and nausea/vomiting. To manage them, I self-medicated and took herbal tea.
However, the alternative treatment was very expensive and I was under financial strain. Although chemo- and immunotherapy were free, I couldn't stop working during my treatment.
During chemo, I felt that I was in a safe place, thinking that with chemo (which was working), I was fighting my cancer. I was concerned that there was nothing to protect me against cancer recurrence when the chemotherapy ended.
When I completed 8 sessions of chemotherapy, my oncologist suggested alternative treatments. I read books about radical remissions. I did a detox to help my body get rid of heavy metals from the chemo. I became vegan and started juicing. I did coffee enemas. I now eat veggies and fruits only, with some supplements.
I have a son who was 17 years old when I was diagnosed. My short term goal was to see him going to university. He is now 20, lives by himself, studies at the uni. He calls me every day. Also, I plan to grow old with my husband and live 6 months to a year in Greece once retired.
I have stage 4 cancer, but I plan to heal and become a grandmother. I want to see my grandchildren and watch my son becoming a dad. I also want to have personal development, career change, establish a sports routine and move house in the next 2 years.
My alternative treatment, the Gerson therapy lasts at least 2.5 years. It is very strict and demanding. I was scared that I could not do it properly. But with the support of my husband, my family and my friends, I manage to follow 100 % and I never cheat.
My mindset is as strong as ever. I asked the hospital to let me see a counselor. It was very helpful. She gave me a lot of tools to manage my fears, my panic attacks, and anxiety.
Today I feel optimistic, confident, hopeful, and thankful.
Your body is your best friend and it quietly works for you. Be nice to your body. Don't make cancer your worst enemy. Use it as a way to give a purpose to your life. Be nice with yourself.
This patient's story is published and shared with their full consent. Any personal data that can be used to identify the patient has been omitted.
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