On May 31, 2016, Valérie-Ann Edmond-Mariette's life was turned upside down when she learned that she had Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, at the age of 27.
She begins an obstacle course towards recovery, without being spared by indelicate reactions and hurtful remarks.
To support those around her and all those who have a loved one suffering from cancer, the Martiniquaise has created a guide of "little phrases", to find the right words to support sick people.
“You really don't look sick!
"," You lost weight "... Valérie-Ann Edmond-Mariette was entitled to her share of awkward comments in this genre, after learning to have Hodgkin lymphoma in intermediate stage 2, at the age of 27 years , May 31, 2016.
If in her battle against cancer, she was able to count on an unwavering core of loved ones, she suffered losses, even from those around her whom she considered reliable.
The fault of hurtful words, attitudes not very benevolent or silences that were really not golden.
"We can manage the indelicate reflections of foreigners", explains the doctoral student in history between Martinique and Paris.
Face all prejudices
For example, she remembers this lady on the bus who asks her to stand up because she is "young and in good health", while the young woman struggles to stand up because of the chemotherapy.
A session every two weeks, four hours at the hospital, which drains her of all her energy.
“But it's much more difficult when they come from close people who know that we are sick,” she regrets.
Last year, she published on her Instagram account on the occasion of Pink October, a series of "little phrases" which struck her but also those which comforted her, during her fight against an opponent not always visible to external eyes.
"I wanted to show how a banal sentence can be really violent", analyzes the young woman, even when it reflects the fear of losing a loved one.
"Be real with the person who is sick"
“Cancer treatment also involves the patient's environment,” recalls the doctoral student.
With this guide - which she would have liked to give to her family five years ago - she hopes to accompany patients and their loved ones to find the right words to talk about cancer, to find comfort and above all to get through the tsunami caused by the disease.
“With very few words, we can support someone who is sick,” she puts into perspective, inviting those who wish to share it and enrich it with their own experiences.
"You have to have this ability to be true with the person who is sick and not to consider them as plague-stricken," she confides, now calm.
"Cancer, a priori, is not contagious," she laughs.
On April 8, 2021, the doctor told her she was healed.
At 32, she begins to mourn cancer, grateful for having conquered it and is now fighting to promote the history of her island, Martinique.
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