Rosette La Vedette face Tamara Laanen is every bit as optimistic as her photos suggest. “I never really considered that my cancer journey might have a bad outcome. I just thought, ‘I’m going to let the doctors do their job.’” There was one area, however, where Tamara followed her own path: she returned to full-time work much sooner than recommended.

Hi Tamara, we’re catching you during your lunch break. How are you feeling today?

Tamara Laanen: “I’m back to working full-time and feeling good. Almost like my old self again. The doctors advised me to start part-time, but in my role as a team leader, that just wasn’t realistic. I’d be doing the same work in less time. So for me, it was either full-time or not at all.”

You were off work for nine months due to breast cancer. How did you handle your diagnosis?

“It didn’t come as a huge shock. Breast cancer runs in my family, so I was already being screened regularly. When I started feeling stabbing pains and itching in my breast and noticed my nipple was inverted, I knew.
I think I stayed calm because I’m naturally so positive. I never, not for one moment, thought it might end badly. My mindset was: ‘I’ll just let the doctors do their job.’”

So you approached the situation quite rationally?

“Yes, I prefer to handle things factually. Maybe I don’t let my emotions out enough—I tend to bottle things up. I even stopped seeing the oncology psychologist after just two sessions (smiles). It just wasn’t for me, though I fully understand how valuable it can be for others. Everyone has different needs. My rational side did have its advantages: since I wasn’t overly anxious, my family stayed calm too. We were open with our teenage son and told him everything. I also leaned heavily on my husband and son throughout my treatment. And my mom visited often so I didn’t have to sit alone at home every day.”

Were you able to accept help from others?

“I didn’t want to feel like a patient, so I took back control of the household tasks as soon as possible. Sitting on the couch and doing nothing just wasn’t for me. I really pushed myself. Was that the healthiest approach? I don’t know. But it worked for me at the time. What I would do differently now is let people ask, ‘How are you really doing?’ more often. By rejecting that patient role, I didn’t leave much space for those conversations.”

You were eager to get back to work, right?

“I absolutely love my job. I’m Head of Sales for a financial multinational. Coaching people and watching them grow—it’s incredibly fulfilling.
After nine months away due to cancer, I was itching to dive back in. At the start of my sick leave, it was difficult to disconnect from work, especially because I didn’t feel very sick. I didn’t know what to do with all my time.
Eventually, I managed to let go by reframing it as me-time. That made it easier.”

Cancer as me-time—that’s a unique perspective!

“Putting myself first didn’t come naturally. It felt a bit selfish at first, though of course that’s nonsense. During that period, I spent time on home projects, especially refurbishing old furniture, which I love. I also went on lots of walks with my two dogs. I call them my ‘walking diaries’ (laughs). I’m not much of a talker, but I could tell them everything, and they just listened. On days when I was too tired to walk, I’d simply hang out with them in the garden. These days, I don’t have as much time for that. Prioritizing myself will always be a challenge.”

How are things going at work now?

“I’ve quickly fallen back into my old routine. My job still gives me energy, which is a good sign. In my role, I need to travel a lot. Before cancer, I was on a plane almost every week. Now, my first work trips are already scheduled, and I’m curious to see if I can handle the pace. Luckily, my employer is very flexible, and my colleagues have been incredibly supportive.”

You seem mentally strong. How about physically—how are you feeling post-cancer?

"My body has changed a lot, and that’s been tough. I lost my hair, and I’ve also gained weight. My treatment triggered early menopause, essentially fast-forwarding me by ten years. That comes with a lot of muscle and joint pain, and the doctors don’t have many solutions. So, I started researching it myself: reading, attending webinars, and experimenting. I’ve discovered that daily movement really helps. I now practice yoga—something I never would’ve considered before cancer (laughs)—and do strength exercises to combat osteoporosis. It’s become my mission to raise awareness about the impact of early menopause, so other women don’t feel as lost as I did.”

You tackled hair loss with colorful chemo hats. Was that a conscious choice?

“A friend introduced me to Rosette La Vedette. I loved how comfortable the hats were and how many colors and patterns there were to choose from.
During chemo, my complexion looked pale and dull, so wearing lots of bright colors made me feel healthier.”

What advice would you give to others going through the same thing?

“Take it one day at a time—or even one hour at a time if you need to. Don’t stress about things that are happening next week, like treatments or tests. It’s pointless. Go slow, step by step. Honestly, it’s advice I could still take myself!” (laughs)

How was it to join a Rosette La Vedette photoshoot as a “model for a day”?

“When I saw the casting call for a photoshoot featuring ‘real people,’ I was immediately excited. Yes, it was way out of my comfort zone, but it also sounded like so much fun. I loved the idea of linking a positive memory to such a challenging time. And it really was a fantastic experience! I felt like part of the family on set, and the photos turned out beautifully. I can honestly say that my illness has made me bolder. Now I often think, ‘Let’s just do it.’ I feel stronger because I came through this without too many scars. What could possibly scare me now?”

[Photos: Fall 2023 – Interview: Spring 2024]

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