Nathalie

Nathalie seems to have everything anyone wants. She has a husband, two beautiful children, a house, a good career, a success story. She enjoys skiing, traveling, discovering new things to do. Her husband, my cousin, Bruno has an affectionate nickname for her “Calou”. Two years ago Nathalie discovered she had breast cancer. Her first reaction was devastation. It felt like the entire universe had fallen on her. One of her concerns was that she was going to lose her left breast in the process. For Nathalie it seemed so extreme because not long ago she was breastfeeding her baby boy. Her breast symbolized her femininity, and she was losing part of that. Losing her hair was another big concern for her, because bald women are associated today with sickness, and Nathalie didn’t want anybody treating her differently, so she made an appointment and had a famous wig maker in Paris make her a wig. Nathalie decided to fight with everything she has. She is fighting for her boys; she wants to see them grow up. She wants to be there during their teenage years. She wants to be there at their graduation. She wants to live. Nathalie wants her story told. She has hope and with hope anything is possible. Nathalie makes me think about a boxer in the ring getting knocked out, but standing up again and fighting with all her might, until the bell rings and hope is gone.

Nathalie has her arms in her back because this is how she feels. Fighting, but with at a disadvantage since there is no cure. She cannot fight back with everything.