Testimony

Testimony by Marie-Claire Beaulieu

Pilot for *Air Canada*

Cité de la Santé de Laval, 4 AC and 4 Taxotere

2023

Avant

Pendant

Après

While washing myself in early May, I discovered a lump on the outer side of my right breast. In good health and with no family history of breast cancer, I mentioned it to my mother, who advised me to get it checked anyway. I am 40 years old, have a 3-year-old son, and am recently separated. With my family doctor having retired, I used a work telemedicine app to get a referral for a mammogram. The mammogram and ultrasound led to a biopsy on August 1st. From the biopsy, I understood it wasn’t normal, but I didn’t grasp the full extent yet. On August 4th, while at the hairdresser, I told her it might be the last time she was styling my hair because I thought I had cancer and would lose my hair. She mentioned the cooling caps used by her best friend's sister (Kim ), which had helped her not lose her hair. On August 21st, the surgeon informed me that I had stage 1B invasive ductal carcinoma in my right breast (two masses of 26 mm and 29 mm), grade 2. Panicking at the thought of losing my hair, I contacted my hairdresser, who put me in touch with Kim. She gave me invaluable information. A few days later, I received my caps in the mail. Nine days after my diagnosis and about three days after receiving my caps, I had my first chemotherapy session. There was little time to prepare. My mother was a tremendous help. I wouldn’t have made it alone. I often thought of giving up, freezing and sick, just wanting to sleep. It was a difficult and costly journey, but I do not regret it. I kept about 50% of my hair, which made all the difference for my morale and for my son. I looked less sick, which helped me a lot daily. The customer service at Penguin Cold Cap also helped me a lot with personalized and quick service. They even texted me the day before my chemo to see if I had any questions. I believe the caps aren’t for everyone, but for the right candidate, they really work! My oncologist and nurse were skeptical, but they were surprised by the result at my last treatment! *- Marie-Claire*

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Testimony by Marie-Claire Beaulieu

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