It was a real challenge! This morning, I did not yet know that I would do the whole race. How did I get there, I who, in good health, did not play any sport? This is completely crazy! This adventure began years ago. I am a nurse and, in this profession, we do not listen to each other very much. We mainly take care of others, we have extended schedules, guards … We run all the time. I admit that for years, I neglected my married life a lot. We have a son, I assumed everything was fine, probably because it suited me. As for my husband’s activities, they have long passed me over my head. Let’s say he was doing business and I was very busy. It was a call from the bank that changed everything. I fell from a height: we had colossal debts and I was half responsible for it.
First the fatigue and immense loneliness
This was, for me, the pretext to put everything back on track. There were arguments, clarifications, re-bibochages, more disputes. Until I agree with the obvious: I will not be able to save my marriage. So I asked for a divorce to save myself from these debts and I learned to live alone, with my son. It was in 2014. A terrible year: separation, loneliness to assume responsibilities, lack of money. I felt totally exhausted. I was hospitalized for a full check-up. And the diagnosis fell, implausible for a nurse: I was suffering from breast cancer metastasis. I hadn’t noticed anything, hadn’t done any routine checks, and during this time the disease had steadily gained ground.
Then a meeting with a wonderful oncologist
In November, I started my treatment. And I signed up for a support group. It’s strange, because I was still putting the disease in the background. After my marital troubles, the debts, the needs of my son. I was going through terrible episodes of depression and panic attacks. I passed into the hands of teams that left me alone with my questions, without any psychological help. Until I met a wonderful oncologist at Tours hospital. She stayed with me for a very long time. We got along well. She was tremendous support. She was the one who put me in touch with the Onco 41 network, an association that supports cancer patients. They are the link between us, the patients, and the nursing staff. I was offered sophrology,
relaxation, massages … Not bad, but frankly, it didn’t improve my condition much.
The rowing club changed everything for me
It was when they asked me if I was interested in their new partnership with a rowing club that everything changed for me. At the beginning, I said to myself: “It’s a guy’s sport with big biceps …”
and me, my big arm, was this lymph that stagnates after the operation … But, despite my doubts, I did tests with the doctors and I started the rower. Quickly, I discovered that it was a flexible sport, which may not be too strenuous. The muscles are solicited especially in the elongation. It is mainly the legs that work. My coach was amazing. It adapted to each of us, to the time of illness, to the stages of the surgery, to the chemo sequences. My training started outside. I learned to row rhythmically, together with the other rowers. And little by little, my condition improved significantly. Me so tired before, I felt stronger, each week more resistant. The doctor advised me to invite my son. Well, this teenager who thought I was so vulnerable had to reconsider his opinion! For him, too, the effect was beneficial.
Friendship and travel
I love the ties forged with my team of rowers. We are a collective, and that changes everything after the loneliness of cancer. Some are sick, some are not. Cancer is never mentioned directly.
There is no need to talk a lot, we can tell when someone is having difficulty and it takes care of itself, without too many words. We are here, above all, to improve our health. But we also know, because many of us no longer work, that this social bond is as important as the sport itself. Of course, there are risks. My hand hurt, so instead of paddling, I steered. We adapt. Above all, I am carried by this extraordinary dynamism, the contact with nature, these running and travel projects. And then, we won this fantastic challenge of the Vogalonga in Venice … you want to see our medal?
3 questions to … Dr Michel Foucart, doctor of the rowing team
Can All Women With Breast Cancer Rowing?
My training as a midwife gynecologist has unfortunately led me to get to know women with breast cancer. The practice of rowing is open to those who are in the process of consolidating, after the treatment of the cancer itself. There are still many pains, many side effects of treatments, relapses sometimes … but we adapt. Rowing is a non-traumatic sport.
What are the benefits?
The goal is to relieve the pain of women. We find that with the practice of this sport, they better support the chemotherapy or the radiotherapy. When they row, the rowing acts as manual drainage. They strengthen their heart, their body, increase their breathing capacity, consolidate their joints.
And on the moral side?
It is spectacular. These women who have experienced the assaults of the disease and interventions regain a positive body image. Many who were afraid of water or could not swim, signed up for swimming lessons. They go to the pool every week! Muscle strengthening and flexibility help them in their daily life. They who could no longer open their shutters, do their hair or hang out the laundry regain their autonomy. And then, when we row, we secrete
endorphins, so we’re happy!
Read also:
Breast cancer: the support of the French Rowing Federation
Testimonial: “I tamed my multiple sclerosis”
