Only the sky is the limit after breast cancer (French) (Gaétanne’s story)

March 1, 2011

In this video, Gaétanne talks about being diagnosed with breast cancer 15 years ago and after, only seeing the sky as the limit

Watch as Gaétanne talks about her diagnosis and treatment, and then finding another lump in the same breast two years later. She had a mastectomy and chemo to be preventative because there was still much she wanted to do in life. She also talks about how she is one of six daughters and three of them have had breast cancer.

She shares how her friendships gave her the support she needed, how she worked but took days off around her chemotherapy and how cancer made her re-evaluate her life.

Gaétanne lives and works in Winnipeg. She is married and has three dogs.

I know it’s not the same for everyone, but it was very positive. Before being diagnosed, I would say and see other people around me doing the same – ‘Well, since I’m smart enough, I could go back to school, but I do not have time or money.’

I decided to take the opposite stance. So, on days when I’m thinking, ‘Hmm, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to do that,’ I say to myself, ‘No, I can do it. It’s something I really want to do, so I’ll find a way.’

Watch the video of Gaétanne talking about the positive side of breast cancer (in French)

The Partnership’s Person-Centred Perspective initiative is committed to improving the patient experience. We are working with partners across Canada to find the best ways to offer a person-centred perspective throughout a person’s cancer journey and to help information flow throughout. The impact of a cancer diagnosis goes far beyond the physical disease. It affects every aspect of a person’s life. The initiative has focused on reporting about the patient experience, and giving health-care providers patient-centred tools and resources, which have been validated and standardized.