'Mom has a black belt'

Our colleagues Ale and Christophe faced her cancer diagnosis as a family - and learned to come to terms with a new reality.

The term "power couple" doesn't really do Ale and Christophe justice. Ale (short for Alejandra) originally from Venezuela, moved to Europe because of her love for horses—she was an active show jumper from childhood. A degree in international business administration and the start of her career at BMS in France followed. It was at a meeting in Paris that she met Christophe, then IT project manager, they immediately felt a special connection. 16 years later, they’re the proud parents of two boys.

Facing uncertainty
 

In 2022, just as the family was preparing to relocate to the U.S. for Christophe’s new role, Ale was diagnosed with grade 3 invasive breast carcinoma. The diagnosis came during a routine health check as part of their visa applications. Ale, who had worked for almost five years in Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR), suddenly found herself on the receiving end of the medical data she had spent years analyzing. The family was thrust into a state of uncertainty, waiting for the results of the PET scan to determine the extent of the cancer.

“Not knowing was truly the worst,” said Christophe. “The waiting after the biopsy, the decision what kind of treatment Ale would need…”

“We were in a situation where you want and need stability as a family,” Ale said. “Suddenly, we had two uncertainties hand in hand: relocation and cancer.”

Then, after the diagnosis, a change of plans - instead of relocating to the U.S., they would be moving to Switzerland, where Christophe accepted a position at the BMS site in Boudry.

Their science-related professions helped Ale and Christophe navigate her diagnosis — and their close colleagues at BMS provided valuable guidance as well. For anyone in a similar situation, they recommend reaching out to validated patient support groups early on.

The couple faced another challenge surrounding Ale’s diagnosis: whether to tell their children right from the start. They wanted to be transparent yet reassuring. Both sons were very active in sports, so they used judo metaphors to make them feel included in the conversation. “Mom has a black belt, so she will beat the cancer!”

Later, the scan revealed that the cancer was not metastatic but invasive, necessitating an aggressive treatment plan. “It sounds trivial, but life must go on,” says Christophe. “I needed to keep going, and this brought up some anxiety for me too. In my job, business travel is a necessity and part of the routine, and it was important for me to keep that up.”

Finding the right balance was not easy, and Ale and Christophe had to trust their own judgement to decide when he would be really needed at home or in the hospital. They were open with their colleagues about the situation — and received kindness and support in turn. “Our colleagues at BMS truly had our back. For that, we will be forever grateful.”

Ale’s treatment began with a mastectomy to remove two tumors, followed by reconstructive surgery. She then underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy to address micro metastasis in her lymph nodes. The radiotherapy made her tired, and the scar tissue led to fibrosis, making it tough for her to move. This was followed by a second (prophylactic) mastectomy and reconstruction surgery.

“There is no good cancer, and treatment was exhausting at times, but I am grateful that the chemo didn’t hit me as hard as many others,” said Ale. “I could even be at a horse competition my kids had qualified for, running around there with a hat on my bald head and helping with the horses and cheering my sons on… making memories with them.”

Finding joy in the new normal
 

Ale and Christophe emphasize that respecting each other’s very different personalities was crucial to enduring the seemingly endless challenges.

“I don’t like to ask for help, but rather help others,” said Ale. “When my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after me, it felt as if fate and statistics had allowed themselves a bad joke. At the same time, it allowed me to shift the focus from me to her."

Sports have always been a source of energy for the couple, but as a former competitive rider, Ale feels a deeper connection to horses now. The love of animals helps too - her horse and the family dog both play a key role in her healing and mental health, giving her respite. “Animals don’t judge you; they don’t pressure you… they just let you be,” said Ale. This new mindset inspired Ale to change careers and pursue a degree in animal osteopathy.

Her cancer is receptive, which brings a risk of relapse and she continues treatment. What affects Ale the most is treatment-induced menopause, a common consequence of cancer treatments like chemotherapy and hormone-suppressed therapy. They cause the ovaries to stop producing estrogen, leading to menopause symptoms regardless of a woman’s age, which can have both a physical and mental impact.

“I am 43 and my body behaves like it’s 60 sometimes,” said Ale. “All the sports Christophe and I were doing together – I am so far from being that woman. I am not saying I am less of a woman, but I am no longer THAT woman. It comes with some positives though - I seem to have sharper instincts and am less of a people pleaser than I used to be.”

This summer, Ale volunteered at the Olympic equestrian competitions in Versailles, where she got to experience the best riders in the world up close. “No treatment-induced hot flashes or joint pain could have kept me away from it,” she said, laughing. “I was very proud to see the Venezuelan flag hang high, as two competitors I knew since childhood had qualified!”  

Both Ale and Christophe are facing the future with a united outlook. “You need to accept that life is going to be different, set yourself new goals and consciously let go of some of the old ones,” Christophe said. I am happy and proud of Ale and myself for getting to this point.”