How a diagnosis turns everyday life upside down

I saw an external change in the breast and suspected breast inflammation, which is why I went to see my gynaecologist. However, my gynaecologist already suspected breast cancer after the ultrasound and mammogram and referred me to a specialist for further investigations. As a trained medical assistant with experience in oncology, I suspected nothing good. The puncture and MRI confirmed my gynaecologist's suspicions and I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Then everything happened very quickly. I went to see the breast cancer surgeon, Dr Federica Chiesa, at Swiss Breast Care to have a port inserted for the infusions. Chemotherapy started just one week after the diagnosis was made.

During this time, my family was a great support to me. My husband in particular did a lot of the work at home and looking after the children during chemotherapy. My mother and her partner, as well as my parents-in-law, also provided a great deal of relief. While my mum drove me to treatment, my mother-in-law often took our youngest daughter, Melia, to stay with her at the weekend.

We communicated cautiously with the children. We used children's books to explain the situation and the visual changes to Melia (almost four years old). With the two older children, we were able to be a little more specific about the effects of my illness and certain restrictions. In general, we tried to convey the basic trust to our children: "Everything will be fine." This attitude was carried through the treatment and helped me to maintain my confidence and not to struggle with the situation, but to accept it as it is. I often asked myself why it had hit me in particular and whether this was a death sentence. These fears will probably stay with me for the rest of my life, but I try not to complain for too long and just keep going with the motto "close your eyes and get on with it".