The question journalists ask me most often when they stop by for an interview is: “Isn’t it heavy, in your line of work, to be surrounded by people with cancer all the time?” And the more often I answer it, the clearer it becomes to me.
Yes, of course it’s sometimes harder than calling a new Lotto winner every day to tell them they’ve hit the jackpot. And yes, I also hear sad stories — of people who relapse, who are pushed to their physical limits, or who struggle mentally with the impact of their illness.
But that doesn’t outweigh all the stories of people who are grateful for small steps forward, who try every single day to make the best of things, who show incredible physical resilience, who are amazed by their own mental strength during their tough treatment…
Being a witness to so much fight and optimism is truly a privilege. It makes me so much stronger than if I were surrounded by people who complain without seeking solutions, or who grumble about little trivialities no one can change anyway.
And you know, when I eventually retire, I already know which people I’ll remember most from this chapter of my career: the customers, caregivers, volunteers and so many others who inspire me day after day — not the complainers or the pessimists.
And yes, sometimes it is difficult to bring up my own cancer story yet again after all these years. I don’t enjoy it, and no, I don’t “use” my experience “to sell more.” I can’t even bear the thought!
So why do I still say “yes” to most interview requests? Not because I love the spotlight (I still get nervous every time!), but because through Rosette la Vedette, I want to help lift cancer out of the shadows. And you don’t do that by keeping silent about it, do you?
Believe me, I still find this such a deeply rewarding job… And with every chemo hat or chemo scarf that leaves here, I get to help someone feel a little more beautiful, a little stronger, and therefore a little happier. How meaningful is that?
Warm greetings,
Wendy – designer at Rosette la Vedette
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