When life gives you lemons, make lemonade out of them!

What exactly was it like for you, were you diagnosed with breast cancer during a screening or did you realise yourself that something was wrong?

I noticed the lump myself. As a nurse, I was already sensitised during my training and more or less regularly palpated my breasts for lumps - fortunately. Then everything happened very quickly and I was immediately given an appointment with my gynaecologist. Three weeks after my first suspicion, I had my first chemotherapy treatment.

With such a serious diagnosis, it would actually be absolutely essential to make clear and sensible decisions that could be life-defining. Were you in a position to do so at that moment?

There was only one question for me at that moment: Do I go down the path suggested by conventional medicine or do I want to undergo complementary treatment?

Conventional medicine gave me the prospect of a 90% chance of recovery. I have a teenage daughter and love life - so I didn't think twice and didn't scrutinise every step anew.

Of course, questions remain. I'll probably only be able to say in a few years' time whether I made the right decision so quickly. What will happen to my body in the long term? Would I still have had good years with a gentler treatment? Do we always have to do everything that is medically possible? What if I lived in a country where the healthcare system (with all its weaknesses) is not as good as it is here? Where I am in my life today, the decision I made back then is the right one for me.

What were your biggest fears and how did you deal with such a huge mental burden?

I'm a very pragmatic person - the first thing I did was think about my funeral. Then I quickly trusted that I would come out of the story with a black eye. After all, the lymph nodes were not affected and no metastases were found.

I also imagined that I would "age" for at least ten years in that six months. Unfortunately, the fact that I haven't worked for a long time has been confirmed; I'm still on sick leave because of my immune system. When I look in the mirror, I see a woman in her mid-forties, which is what I am. I read somewhere that for many women the worst thing about the treatment is losing their hair. I decided not to be too dramatic about it and to keep the "bad" level low... I mean, they grow back! Looking back, it wasn't "something" that was the worst thing, but the sum of all the little things that would be bearable on their own. The eternally dry mucous membranes, the cracked skin, the dripping nose due to a lack of nasal hair, the missing eyebrows and eyelashes, the taste disorders, the waking up at night, the tiredness, the digestive problems, the reduced social interaction... none of these things are bad on their own, but as a whole, at some point it's just enough and you just wish you could get back to everyday life.

Travelling a lot in the great outdoors

I spent a lot of time in nature, went horse riding several times a week, went on lots of walks in the forest and took my e-bike as often as I could for the journeys I had to make.

I also had no desire to play hide-and-seek in my environment and wanted to use my energy to get better. Most of the time, the whole neighbourhood knows what's going on or, even worse, makes assumptions. That's why I dealt with it proactively.

Experience great support

A lot of people then asked me directly what was going on. Most of them reacted with concern and offered me help. This support from family, friends, colleagues and neighbours really helped me. Just the offer to let me know if I needed anything - shopping, a lift, a shoulder to cry on etc. did me good, even if I didn't have to make use of it. I was also given a whole army of guardian angels. As good as I am today, they are extremely competent! For some people, perhaps MY handling of the illness was a little insensitive. I sometimes have a slightly quirky sense of humour. (When it wasn't yet clear whether and how I should have an operation, my favourite saying was: "Why do I need my right breast - I still have my left!") I'm sure some people felt a bit overwhelmed by such statements. But it helps me to put some distance between myself and the difficulties in my life. I simply gave myself the right to be selfish... Some people reacted with such shock and concern that I felt I had to comfort them. That sometimes felt strange. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade out of them!

You underwent your treatment at and with the certified Basel Bethesda Hospital Breast Centre. Why did you place your trust in this centre and decide to go there?

When I was diagnosed, my greatest need was for something to happen very quickly. After the mammogram, my gynaecologist referred me to Bethesda Hospital and I was given an appointment the same day. Dr Müller "hung me on" for a biopsy at the end of his working day, so to speak.

The fact that the histology results and the best course of action were discussed by various experts in the "tumour board" gave me confidence.

But I have to be honest and say that I didn't even realise that I had a choice. There was simply never any reason for me to look for another centre - I always felt that I was in good hands.

What steps and measures were taken, how did your therapy progress in concrete terms?

From December to April I had 16 courses of chemotherapy; the first 4 (the more intensive ones) at 2-week intervals, then weekly. I had an operation in May. Now I'm getting an infusion every three weeks until March, which increases the chance that I won't get any metastases. I also have to take anti-hormonal medication.

The medical aspect is important, but how well did you feel psychologically cared for during your treatment?

I always felt that I was in good hands, which gave me confidence. That was all I needed, I was quite good at pulling myself out of the mire. Whenever I felt sorry for myself - which did happen - I told myself that I hadn't yet got the worst of all possible illnesses. After all, breast cancer can be treated today.

How do you feel today, how are you doing?

I'm doing well. Towards the end of chemo in April, some days were incredibly exhausting; after three floors with a basket of washing in my arms, I had to lie down. Putting the green bin a good 30 metres away on the street left me out of breath. I was terrified that it would take an incredibly long time to get halfway fit again.

But now I've already done a few mountain tours again - up to 1500 metres in altitude in one day. My strength is also slowly returning, so I'm hardly frustrated any more in everyday life because I can't do something.

However, when I have a full programme for several days in a row, I notice from my circulation that I still don't have that many reserves. What surprises me positively is the fact that I can use my right arm again without any restrictions or pain after the rather large operation (all the glandular tissue was removed and replaced with silicone).

What would you definitely recommend to other women diagnosed with breast cancer based on your experience?

I'm not big on general recommendations - our life situations, histories and reaction patterns are too different. And our treatment options are also too different, depending on the type and progress of the disease. Perhaps this much (but it applies not only to breast cancer, but also to any other disease): keep moving, even if it takes effort. Listen to yourself and do what is good for you at that moment.

Take advantage of the offers that are available, for example from the Cancer League or the experts such as the two Breast Care Nurses from the Basel Bethesda Hospital Breast Centre.

What works for me in difficult situations: If life gives you lemons, make lemonade! There are two sides to everything in life. I would never choose cancer and I would never wish it on anyone - but I had experiences during this time that were only possible for me in this way. These have shaped me and become part of my life story.

(*real name known)