by Charlotte Husson March 29, 2016

ITW n°50: Audrey - K fighter.

Hello

Today, Audrey, 35 years old, tells us with elegance, dignity, strength, panache and turban of her fight against a K in the breast. I can tell you that this K fighter "disappoints" (if I may say so) and never "goes out without makeup", lots of beautiful super boosting waves emerge from this beautiful testimony, Audrey you are luminous and a great example!

Great discovery.

Let's get started:

Who are you ? First name: Audrey Age: 35 Profession: educator Where do you live: Evian les Bains

Why do you agree to share your story today? I want and need to share my experience and perhaps, in my own way, appease my friends from K, show that even if I am sick, life remains beautiful if we decide to do so. What are your qualities (in a few words)? I am an optimist of life and a fighter What are your passions (in a few words)? Everything related to creativity (painting, song, music, etc.), my job and my family/friends What K (what cancer - grade if you wish / stage ditto): Hormonal breast cancer When was it discovered? How old were you ? this summer, while taking a shower, at 35 :) Under what circumstances was it discovered?

If you are currently undergoing treatment, or in remission (for how long?) I still have chemo (wow!!!), followed by radiotherapy, one year of herceptin and 5 years of hormone therapy. Can you summarize your (K fighter) story for us? Answer: the earth shook... To tell you the truth, my plan was to give my princess a little brother/sister. And it's going to be possible (sniff), so as if carried by an inner force I immediately put on the boxing gloves and went to fight against this damn K who was changing all my future plans. What treatment did you have? chemo: 3 FEC 100 and 3 Taxotere radiotherapy: coming 5 weeks operation: lumpectomy and installation of my “soft toy” What tips directly related to K do you want to share? (your feeling with the doctor, your good treatment organization plans, anything that seems useful to you ;))? Take time for yourself between treatments, see friends and family forgotten by routine, listen to your body and not the wise advice of your beloved grandma who asks you to stay in bed all the time. And treat yourself: unlimited shopping to feel BEAUTIFUL 1/ chemo: (ex: your tips, the helmet, your affinities with nurses): A big congratulations to the Thonon nurses who draw a smiley face on the water bottles every day. I wore the helmet and it helped me keep some hair (shorter than Christina Cordula but it's "beautiful my darling").

How do you live the day before, the day itself, the days after chemo? and what are your tips? Every day before chemo, my colleagues come to have a drink and talk about everything and nothing, I called it my "chemo party" I recommend it to everyone, the evening passes more peacefully. The same day magazines, my iPad, relaxed music we dim the lights which are really aggressive 2/ hospital: (e.g. contact with nurses / doc / caregivers): the teams are top notch, and my surgeon is the best. I discovered Rose Magazine there and ordered the entire collection. 3/ “parallel” medicine, if you have done it (what disciplines, what were their benefits): working as long as possible and being with my colleagues has been my parallel medicine, but my driving force remains my 18-month-old princess who needs her mother with or without hair. What did you do to clear your mind/clear your head (before chemo, surgery & co)? shopping....shopping... What practical “well-being/beauty” tips can you advise us? 1/ beauty: your essential products (e.g.: creams, varnishes, scars, oils, etc.) I moisturize daily since the start of treatments with an Avène face cream, Lipikar body cream from La Roche Posay , and bioil which is great for healing. I put on Silicon nail polish and moisturize my hands and lips several times a day. And above all, I never go out without makeup! 2/ look, (e.g. your favorite chemo, hospital, every day look to feel good): a scarf for each outfit, and either earrings or necklace to keep the style. Otherwise I had my dress and tights period to make up for my femininity as my hair fell out, after that "sweatjeans" and moonboots (here it's the great cold) 3/ daily (e.g. sport, food & co, meditation, reading...) Answer: rest as soon as my body demands it, and when the energy returns I give it to my daughter or when I can I go for a walk, I relax in front of series that I enjoy watching again

4/ hair problem (eg: did you wear a wig, scarves, hats)

I tried a wig but it's not for me, so I opted for scarves and turbans, and I just bought fringes of different colors Are you concerned about the views of others, were you afraid that their views would change? What did you do to counter it? Answer: at first no, rather afraid of the way I look at myself, would I be strong enough, how am I going to do without hair.... To counter the somewhat annoying looks my technique is to bring out my biggest smile, it's directly destabilizing What are the “nugget”/footed phrases (that you remember) that someone said to you during K and that you could have avoided? "my aunt had one, she died from it", "but you actually look good", “It’s nothing, it’s the most treatable cancer.” A friend the other day asked me if I had a rubber band, I burst out laughing with her :) How did your loved ones support you? everyone did their best to find their place, my mother cut her hair, a friend knitted me a blanket, my mother-in-law writes me cards.... And what advice could you give to loved ones who accompany a K fighter? be patient and above all understanding because they will have to take a back seat for a while, the k fighter really needs to fight... Do you find out about K on the internet? as little as possible except certain blogs that were recommended to me If so, does it make you feel good? It helped me feel less alone in the fight If so, what would be the useful (internet) links that helped you during K? yours already :) laptitejulie 's blog; Rose Magazine and Chao Gunter !!!

What has the K changed in your life...? (for example: your vision of the world, your priorities, your essentials, refocusing those around you, in your work, your philosophy..?)

All at the same time, although we know that we must live each day at 100%, we quickly get caught up in routine, we forget ourselves and I take this adventure as an alarm to life!!! Enjoying your loved ones and taking care of yourself is much more important than being a professional at work or a perfect mother.

Free field ;) tell us what you want (which might not be in my questions):

We live around medical appointments, doctors' announcements, and in order not to break down it is important to discuss it with a professional or not, but in my opinion it is vital. And try to take weekends to escape and forget our daily life for a few hours.

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Thank you Audrey for your testimony, your super hardworking words, your infectious rage for life.

If like Audrey you want to tell your story and share your tips, go here , send me your questionnaire and 1 photo of yourself so that I can draw you ;) to: interview@mister-k-fighting-kit.com

Please note that I do not retouch any Interview, they are completely free, it is your freedom, your story, I just add my personal touch with the illustration, they are delivered as they were sent to me ;)

Lots of beautiful positive thoughts to everyone!!

@ very quickly

Charlotte