When you have cancer, your body changes — something Rosette La Vedette ambassador Wendy Vander Weerden knows all too well. “The hair loss, the extra weight: I really struggled with that,” she shares. Thankfully, Wendy has been able to count on her psychologist and a few close loved ones to help her view herself with more kindness and compassion.
Wendy, first of all: how are you doing?
Wendy Vander Weerden: “I’m slowly starting to feel like myself again after a very intense year. I’ve also managed to lose about ten of the extra kilos I gained during my cancer treatment, which feels amazing. And here’s a little milestone: soon, I’ll be going back to the hairdresser for the first time! I’m still not used to my short, wavy cut, but I want to have it lightened up a bit. I think going a bit blonder will help me feel more like myself again,” she smiles.
Did you notice yourself that something was wrong with your health?
“The doctor felt a lump in my breast during a routine check-up. I don’t panic easily and even thought, ‘This can’t happen to me.’ But when I had to go to the gynecologist after my mammogram and biopsy, my husband insisted on coming along. When it turned out to be bad news, I was so relieved I wasn’t alone. It took a while for the reality to sink in. I kept thinking there must have been a mistake, especially since there’s no history of cancer in our family. The surgeon realized I wasn’t fully grasping it, looked me straight in the eye, and said, ‘This is breast cancer.’ When it was later confirmed after surgery that I would also need chemotherapy, that was a second blow. My plan to return to work after four months had to be shelved.”
You struggled with the physical changes caused by cancer, right?
“I’ve always cared a lot about my appearance, and when the weight started piling on, it was really hard for me mentally. The weight gain was mainly due to an allergic reaction to the chemo. That reaction caused a lung infection and pulmonary edema, making it nearly impossible for me to breathe or even walk. At the start of my treatment, I was also very afraid of losing my hair. We tried to prevent it using a cold cap, but it didn’t work. When my hairdresser had to cut my hair short in preparation for baldness, I cried. That was the moment I truly felt like a cancer patient.”
Did you want to hide your hair loss from others as much as possible?
“I had a gorgeous wig that looked so natural you couldn’t tell it wasn’t my real hair. The problem was, I kept fiddling with it because I was constantly worried it didn’t sit right. In the end, I felt more confident wearing hats and scarves. Sure, people could see I didn’t have hair, but at least I didn’t have to worry about whether my wig was in place. I even started to really enjoy wearing hats and scarves — there’s just so much choice!”
You even ended up in intensive care, the very ward where you normally work as a head nurse. How was that?
“Very confronting. I was feeling absolutely awful: my feet were swollen from fluid retention, I was coughing a lot, short of breath, and could barely move. I was terrified that these symptoms meant the cancer had spread to my lungs. Thankfully, it turned out to ‘just’ be an infection and fluid buildup. In the ICU, I was given high doses of cortisone, and I started to feel better fairly quickly. But a few months later, I hit a wall — just like my doctor had warned me. The cortisone, which acts like a kind of energy booster, had worn off, and I was left feeling tired and stiff. I’m still dealing with that stiffness today. It’s partly due to the sudden menopause my body was forced into at age 48. Everything happened so quickly.”
How do you cope with difficult days?
“I go to a psychologist, which really helps me. I often think I look ugly compared to before, but she’s helping me see that, despite everything I’ve been through, I actually look really good. I can even say it to myself sometimes when I look in the mirror — something I couldn’t do before. She’s teaching me to be gentler with myself. I also get a lot of support from my husband, my sons, and my parents. Beyond that, I love spending time in our garden with a few of our closest friends — the ones I felt comfortable enough to take off my hat around during treatment. I also love walking our dog, at his slow sniffing pace. And then there’s Yade, my godchild’s little one. Yade was six months old when I got sick, and she could brighten my whole day without even knowing it. Just a quick video call was enough. Without realizing it, she helped pull me through,” she smiles.
How was it going back to work?
“On my doctor’s advice, I started back part-time, working mornings only. Physically, that’s manageable, but mentally, my head still fills up quickly. My team did really well during my absence. At first, I saw that as a sign that I wasn’t needed, but my colleagues told me it was actually a compliment — proof that I’ve done a good job as a leader by making my team self-sufficient. My outlook on work has changed too. I pay even more attention to the human side of care now because I know firsthand how unpleasant certain procedures can feel, like having oxygen tubes in your nose. I try to use my personal experience to make improvements where I can.”
And how was it to take part as a one-day model in the Rosette La Vedette photoshoot?
Wendy: “The call for the Rosette La Vedette shoot came during one of my ‘low’ periods. I really needed a boost and loved the idea of a pampering day. I also hoped to get some tips about makeup, which I did, but in the end, the whole day was just such a joyful experience. The tips became secondary. The real magic was the connection with the other participants and the Rosette La Vedette team. My only regret? Not being able to try on even more outfits — it was just so much fun!” she laughs.
[photos: fall '23 - interview: spring '24]
If you’d like to experience a one-day photoshoot with a professional photographer, stylist, and makeup artist, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. From time to time, we’re on the lookout for models-for-a-day to join our campaigns.
