Celia Diez de los Rios, Lecturer at the University of Navarra, Spain, Board Member at From Testing to Targeted Treatments (FT3), Oncology Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow, shared on LinkedIn:
“Maybe the best moment to break my silence here was just after cutting my hair.
2 years ago I decided to grow my hair to donate it to help make wigs for people experiencing hair loss during cancer treatment. The first time I did it it felt like a tangible way to contribute to something that can make a real difference to how someone feels about themselves during a difficult time. It felt right and came after hearing many of my patients speaking about my hair. This last time was a promise, something I did promise to myself when I had loved ones affected by cancer and knowing they would not be alive by the time I would donate it. It was a way of planning to honour them after they were gone.
Cutting it meant something really special this time around.
So in a very busy week for many of us working in oncology, and also in a week when conversations around disability, breast cancer and osteoporosis bring attention to experiences that are often connected sending it made double the sense.
People experiences remind us that cancer care is about much more than treating a tumour. That while for us loosing their hair its the less scary part of what we are putting in front of them the cancer journey is also about identity, function, confidence, quality of life and the things that help people feel like themselves. Something much less talked about in consultations.
I’ve been quieter here lately. But sometimes, being silent online means being active in many other spaces: doing the work, having the conversations, listening, researching, teaching, collaborating and most importantly living, healing and growing ….
So here we come strong for ESMO26, EONS19 and for the amazing premeeting with From Testing to Targeted Treatments (FT3)”
Other articles featuring Celia Diez de los Rios on OncoDaily.