ITW n°57: Paul - K fighter.
Hello,
today Paul, 12 and a half years old, sacred warrior who tells us about his fight against Ewing's sarcoma on the right femur discovered last October... and I can tell you that wonder Paul commands respect, with simplicity, a lively intelligence, and a lot of sincerity he tells us about his fight. Respect Paul!
We're sending you lots of ultra-boosting strength!!
Great discovery!
Let's get started:
Who are you ?
My name is Paul, I am 12 and a half years old, I am in 5th grade and I live in Toulon.
Why do you agree to share your story today?
To visit your blog because mom and I love reading your interviews ;) and because it feels good to talk about my cancer.
What are your qualities (in a few words)?
I think I'm very intelligent and above all I'm greedy and that's not a fault.
What are your passions (in a few words)?
I'm a fan of tennis (which I played for 3 years before my K), KFC tenders and manga.
What K (what cancer - grade if you wish / stage ditto):
I have an osteosarcoma, more precisely an Ewing sarcoma on the right femur with pulmonary metastases.
When was it discovered? How old were you ?
It was discovered to me on October 6, 2015, I was 12 years old.
Under what circumstances was it discovered?
During the holidays, I was very tired and often in pain. It was believed to be due to my growth.
My doctor gave me a blood test and it was gone...
If you are currently undergoing treatment, or in remission (for how long?)
I am still undergoing treatment for 5 months.
Can you summarize your (K fighter) story for us ?
After my blood test, I had to go urgently to the Toulon hospital which transferred me to Marseille to do a femur biopsy. We waited almost a month before being told that I had a tumor. The next day I started my first chemo (I did 6 big ones, each time over 3 days and 12 hours each day). I'm waiting for my first operation to replace my bone.
What treatment did you have?
6 chemo: yum, a very good cocktail!
- Etoposide
- Ifosfamide
- Doroxubicin
- Vincristine
radiotherapy: ultimately not needed
operation: in April they replaced my femur with a cement spacer and in several months I would have a bone graft.
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 ;))?
1/ chemo: I laugh a lot with the nurses, the doctor laughter clowns, I go to the gym at the hospital and I play on the console to make the time pass more quickly.
How did you live the day before, the same day, the days after chemo?
and what were your tips?
I'm quite sad the day before because I don't like making this journey which takes me to Timone.
I ask Marie Noëlle, the sophrologist to come and give me sessions during chemo. It's relieving, she gives me foot massages and calms me down.
Afterwards I'm happy to come home and be peaceful until the point of aplasia.
2/ hospital: (e.g. contact with nurses / doc / caregivers):
Each time the nurses are very friendly and most of the doctors too. They try to help me as best they can.
3/ “parallel” medicine, if you have done it (what disciplines, what were their benefits):
Nothing of that
What do you do to clear your mind/clear your head (before chemo, surgery & co)?
I play a lot on my tablet, watch movies and shows with mom. I'm going to do sports (just with my upper body) with the Sourire à la vie association .
What practical “well-being/beauty” tips can you advise us?
1/ beauty: your essential products (e.g.: creams, varnishes, scars, oils, etc.)
Hydrate well and especially your feet. Mom massages them for me very often to soothe me.
2/ look, (e.g. your favorite chemo, hospital, every day look to feel good):
I only wear clothes that I feel comfortable in. I like them loose so as not to bother me too much.
3/ daily (e.g. sport, food & co, meditation, reading, etc.)
I don't deprive myself of anything but I don't really like chocolate anymore. I devour food and comics and manga to escape. For sport it's a little more complicated.
4/ hair problem (eg: did you wear a wig, scarves, hats)
I always wear a small thin hat found in a sports store that hides my scalp and it relieves me.
Were you concerned about the views of others, were you afraid that their views would change? What did you do to counter it?
I don't like people staring at me because of my bald head or my wheelchair. It bothers me a lot even with my friends.
What are the “nugget”/footed phrases (that you remember) that someone said to you during K and that you could have avoided?
I haven't heard anything mean or hurtful and that's good!
How did your loved ones support you?
They are always by my side in the hospital or at home. Mom stopped working to take care of me.
And what advice could you give to loved ones who accompany a K fighter?
Be very courageous, give a lot of love and smile!
Do you find out about K on the internet?
No never
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..?)
It changed everything since my life is no longer the same, I no longer go to college. I feel like I have a lot of bad luck. But when it's all over, WOW!
We are closer with my family though.
Free field ;)
tell us what you want (which might not be in my questions):
GOOD LUCK TO ALL !!!
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Thank you Paul for this testimony full of courage, inspiring :)
If like Paul / Warrior 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