Why did you write this book?
I wanted people to stop thinking that cancer necessarily means death. We can live and do many things. Of course it is difficult, you have to be strong but it is achievable. Through this book, I want to transmit all my energy, the energy that allowed me to get through it in all areas. I was diagnosed with breast cancer just before Christmas 2013, in the middle of the pre-election period.
How did you manage the campaigns and your illness?
It was a real obstacle course. Between the municipality’s municipal elections in 2014 and chemotherapy and, in 2015, the departmental elections and reconstruction. And since I didn’t want anyone to look at me with pity, no one knew I had cancer. I remember during the 2015 election campaign photoshoot I had just taken off my wig.
In fact, I haven’t told anyone about it. Even my husband didn’t find out until ten days after I found out about it myself.
How did others react when they learned of your illness?
In fact, I haven’t told anyone about it. Even my husband didn’t know about it until ten days after I found out about it myself. My running mates for the municipal elections only learned about it after our campaign, which was victorious in fact. Some were stunned, others cried, and a few showed total indifference. Everyone will recognize themselves or not. I did not write this book to settle scores. Nor is it a political book. But my illness happened during the campaigns and I didn’t want an opponent to use it in a political setting. I saw that as a weakness. Currently, I am receiving a lot of messages of support from people who have just learned that I have cancer and who want to give me their support.
Was the publication of your book for Pink October important to you?
Obviously. It was thanks to them that I discovered my cancer. People explained how to do palpations to detect a suspicious lump. I was very tired at the time and discovered a lump in my chest. I really pay tribute to all those people from the Cancer League who support patients and their families. They also offer many activities that allow us to hold, reflexology, beauty sessions, hairdressing, nutrition. Our life changes completely with this illness, we have to learn something else. Like choosing the best wig when you lose your hair, it may seem futile to some but it’s important.
The president of the Finistère committee of the League against Cancer, Michel Robaszkiewicz, prefaced my book and the afterword is signed by Doctor Sophie Rouquette. An honor that is very important to me. It moved me a lot.
Practical
Practical: the author will be signing at the Agora in Saint-Évarzec, on October 11 at 5 p.m., on October 18 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Nohée residence in Bénodet, at the Mercerie des Ducs in Quimper on November 12 from 2 p.m. 140 pages. €10 including €1 donated to the league.
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