“A major operation due to an illness diagnosed in November forced me to rest”… This is how Senator (LR) Michel Bonnus explained on the social network
A personal ordeal, known to a small number, which he had wished to keep secret. At least time to get better. Testimony.
How are you, Michel Bonnus?
I’m doing well. I was quickly taken care of by the hospital services in Toulon and Marseille. At the end of the year, I had a major bout of diabetes, even though I was not diabetic. It was there that I was diagnosed with a tumor in my pancreas, which was removed. Today, I couldn’t do anything.
What was your reaction to discovering the existence of your tumor?
I was immediately told that it was operable. So I trusted. And then, my family, my wife, my children were there. In these cases, the important thing is to feel loved. I didn’t see it as a threat. I wanted to fight it out and take up the challenge, even though I was warned that the operation was not easy, just like the post-operation.
How do we prepare for it?
My fight against cancer, I took it as a real match. Sport helps a lot. It made me walk on water. All my life, I have tried to find the words to motivate others, to build a team, to create emulation. There, it was useful to me. It came naturally to me. In this type of fight, the lead is 50%.
And on D-Day, at the beginning of December?
I spent seven hours in the operating room. We’re blocking everything from you. Then, when I woke up in intensive care, I remembered the words of Doctor Moutardier, who operated on me with Dr. Birnbaum. He told me: “You have nothing left Michel, you have nothing left”. He also added that it was not vascularized and that there was nothing around it. And there I flew. (He laughs) I no longer felt the pain.
And the days after?
I immediately wanted to wash. I don’t like being dependent. The first day I got up. I was obsessed with it. You shouldn’t be afraid of pain. You’re in pain, you’re in pain.
Why did you decide to talk about it today?
When you’re a senator, you follow every wish of the department. Same for the king cakes. There, it was impossible to participate. So, I started apologizing without going into detail. Once, twice, three times… I started to get feedback. Not always nice. I wanted to say things so that people wouldn’t say anything. But my goal has never been to want to communicate about my illness. It’s intimate. I especially wanted to wait until I was healed. To be good. I don’t have a communications agency. I do it with my heart.
-When will you return to the field?
When I’m in better shape. I’m giving myself a little more time. The operation was heavy. I’ll feel it when the time is right. I’m still a little weak. I must not catch an illness, because that would be complicated. For now, I walk a lot. I also have physiotherapy sessions. On my hospital bed, I was in pain, I blocked everything. But that doesn’t stop me from working at home, I have video meetings with other senators. I don’t spend all my time in front of the TV. On the contrary.
Did you imagine going through this?
My grandfather left very early, as did my father. We think about it. That’s life. We must not cry foul, nor mope every five minutes. Even though I have a healthy lifestyle, I don’t drink and I don’t smoke. This is also what will increase my ability to recover tenfold, according to the doctors. They say I’m a warrior, but I’m just a normal person. And I’m happy to be able to count on those I love. In these moments, there is no cheater, no braggart.
Before your operation, you were in the pre-campaign for the municipal elections in Toulon…
One thing after another. Being in the campaign means having a vision, a team. Today, my priority is to take good care of myself and get back in shape. If I have to do something, I will do it. But that doesn’t change my determination to get things done.
What has this ordeal changed in you?
The positive is that it gave me a lot of height and distance. I’m going to stop giving importance to things that aren’t worth it and that make me sick. Why did so-and-so say that, why did someone else do that… It levels the priorities. I am much less affected.
You also want to help other sick people…
I’ve met plenty of them, including some who are less fortunate than me. In particular Cédric, a 27-year-old from Fréjus, whom I am going to see again. We must help them. And find the means. I would also like to highlight the kindness and dedication of the nursing staff. Stretcher bearers, nurses, caregivers, they all left their mark on me. I would like to pay tribute to them. I didn’t realize it before. It’s not political what I’m saying. You know, when we find ourselves in the hospital, we don’t think about the motion of censure.
A word on François Bayrou, expected this Tuesday on his general policy speech…
He must be sincere, he must find the right words. Let it not be in the calculation. Even if he has a story, a past, I’m waiting to see. In particular on the pension reform which must be reworked, without being suspended or repealed. Coming back to 62 is populism. He also understood that raising taxes meant slaughtering the French. Today, we especially need visibility and trust. We can no longer afford to censor the government. I hope he succeeds so that France can move forward.
