The story of Jeanine, 23 years

In 2022, 33 years.

 

 

Together with my boyfriend (now husband), I'm lying in bed in our apartment in Eindhoven.

It's the weekend, so we can enjoy sleeping in.

 

I'm lying on my right side and I notice a lump on the left side of my breast.

Strange, I've never felt it before, but I wasn't really worried.

The days passed in April and the school holiday in May began.

I was busy with my Speech Therapy studies and was in the 3rd year, right in the middle of an internship.

 

I had time off from my internship during the holiday in May, so I had time to call the doctor (GP).

It turned out my GP was also on holiday during this period.

Therefore, after hearing the holiday message on the voicemail, my boyfriend decided to call the substitute GP.

 

He told us not to worry because at my age (I had just turned 23), it could not be anything serious.

If I was still concerned, I could always have it checked by the GP.

Our worries were alleviated, and I just continued with my daily life.

 

As the summer holiday approached and we were planning to go to Morocco for a week, I decided to pick up my birth control pills from the pharmacy.

Since the GP's office is above the pharmacy, I decided to make an appointment because I still felt uneasy.

 

The GP suspected a cyst but referred me to the hospital on the same day.

I had an ultrasound, then a biopsy, and had to wait a weekend for the results to come in.

I walked into the breast clinic and, just to be safe, brought my mother along with my boyfriend.

 

We were called in, and eventually, the nurse said:

"I've checked three times to make sure this is really your file. I am telling you this with great disbelief, but you have breast cancer."

 

What?! Me? I was shocked and did not really know what to say. I sounded frozen.

After that, countless other tests followed and the battle began.

Now, 10 years later, after 6 chemotherapy treatments, 21 radiations, 2 surgeries, and 5 years of hormone therapy, I can say that I have been able to pick up my life again.

 

To revisit the substitute doctor, he called afterwards and offered his sincere apologies.

He should never have said that.

 

As I write my story, tears stream down my cheeks; it's been a long time since I told my story in such detail.

No matter how difficult it is, I find it extremely important that women in this very young age group also become aware of the fact that it can happen to them too.

Because that's what it is, it strikes you.

 

Be aware of your own body and check yourself regularly, and if you feel uneasy, go to your GP.

That is definitely something I'm much more aware of now.