How Hope, Family Support, and Research Drive Her Ongoing Battle

Caroline’s world changed forever at age 41, when she discovered a lump in her left breast in November 2014. The sudden reality of breast cancer led to chemotherapy, a mastectomy with reconstruction, and radiation therapy. Early on, the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation became a source of psychosocial support, connecting Caroline with a chat club and other patients who faced similar challenges. By November 2016, she was ready to return to work as a nurse, cherishing the hope of remission.

However, her life took an unforeseen turn in December 2018, when severe back pain revealed that her breast cancer had progressed to stage IV with bone metastases. Since then, Caroline has been on palliative chemotherapy indefinitely, which also means a compromised immune system. At age 45, she was compelled to leave her nursing career—a difficult loss, but one that spurred new reflections on self-care and setting personal boundaries. Loved ones, witnessing her cancer experience up close, likewise prioritized their dreams more urgently.

Confronting a recurrence was daunting; fear of death loomed large. Over time, Caroline learned to live with the possibility of dying from cancer, managing it as a locked box in her mind. Embracing each day as it comes, she stays physically active through hiking, cross-country skiing, and downhill skiing, believing these pursuits—and psychological support—keep her grounded in optimism. With ongoing oral chemotherapy, her bone metastases remain dormant and have not spread to other organs.

Through it all, Caroline has found renewed appreciation for everyday joys. She is determined to savor life, confident in modern medicine and scientific research—critical advances often fueled by fundraising and foundations. Her greatest wish is to live fully for her aging mother, to be present in her care, and continue defying the odds. She firmly hopes that her treatment will keep working so she can celebrate more moments and postpone crossing the finish line for as long as possible.