This is because Ms. Dibong, 47, who is a clinical nurse by trade and currently a manager at the CISSS de la Montérégie-Est, learned news that completely stunned her in 2018. Her doctor told her that she was affected. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). His life changed from that moment on.
“When the doctor tells me the news, I’m not sure if I’m listening, I don’t hear anything, I’m shocked, stunned, paralyzed, dejected, softened, strange, I see stars, all the “The feelings go through my head in a very short time,” Ms. Dibong describes.
But life with its sense of humor managed to dry up her tears, such was the blow, she said to herself at the time.
“Leaving the medical office with a prescription for oral chemotherapy for five years, I arrive in the parking lot, I don’t even know where to go, I call one of my sisters and I tell her what I think the doctor told me. Everything is getting heavy, I wonder how I’m going to tell my husband. To my children. What I will become. Why me? I think about death since, as a nurse, I accompany patients on their journey. I understand that I will have to give up my place to get treatment too. By having this disease, I won the jackpot,” Ms. Dibong tells us ironically.
She warns those around her that she may experience a lot of fatigue, that the treatment is heavy, with side effects and, ultimately, that this disease can lead to death.
Sensitization
For her, it is important that people know that this blood disease, this cancer, arrives without warning signs, it is insidious. And now? “I’m not in remission yet. I am still undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Anyone can get this disease. Did you know that there are 137 forms of blood cancer? It is also important to inform people about this reality,” believes Ms. Dibong.
The latter reminds us that the effects of chemotherapy are multiple and hard to bear. But fortunately, Frieda, as a nurse, knows how to manage the ups and downs of her painful treatment well and… “It is thanks to research that now, people affected can benefit from oral treatment and not just by injection », specifies Frieda Stéphanie Dibong.
Her story impacted her to the point where she decided to invest in the cause and make people realize that research must continue.
As a Visionary candidate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada fundraising campaign, Frieda Stéphanie is asking for the public’s support so that she can reach her goal of $50,000 during her campaign which will end on May 30 next. Its ultimate goal is to help cure blood cancer patients.
“I represent Sorel-Tracy and I would like to show all of Quebec that in Sorel-Tracy, we are the most aware of the cause by making a donation and joining the team,” concluded Ms. Dibong.
In total, there are nine other Visionary candidates in Quebec whose objective is to raise $500,000. So far, businesses, businesses and institutions in Sorel-Tracy have been contacted.
To make a donation, go to www.visionnairesdelannee.ca https://secure.llscanada.org/site/TR/OTY/Quebec?px=1247683&pg=personal&fr_id=1552&s_locale=fr_CA.
