Christiane

Nasal prosthesis, attached using magnets

“In 2014, I was diagnosed with cancer of the nasal wall.

Despite intensive treatment, it came back in 2017.

In 2018, when it came back for the third time, Professor Debry told me it was preferable to proceed with a total ablation of the nose. Of course, I immediately asked him how it could be reconstructed. He explained to me that it would be very complicated and would need several surgical interventions and that the result might well be very disappointing. In addition to the shock of finding that my cancer had returned, I had to cope with the idea that I was going to lose my nose for ever. It was then that he spoke to me about prostheses on implants. And that was how I came to know Anne-Marie Riedinger and Michèle.

The warmth of their welcome, their professional attitude and their reassuring words helped me overcome my anxiousness. The operation went well, and the implants were fitted at the same time. I recovered quite quickly and could take up my “normal” life again, but because of the radiotherapy I couldn’t have my prosthesis straightaway. So how can you live “normally” with your nose covered by a dressing? As soon as I left my house, I would be on the alert. When I met someone I would turn my head away, I wanted to disappear.

When I received my prosthesis, I quickly realised that most people didn’t even notice I had one, especially when I was wearing my glasses. I no longer needed to go shopping just as the shops open their doors to meet as few people as possible, or to walk my dog at dawn. I rediscovered the pleasure of going out to a restaurant with my friends and the joys of going on shopping sprees (oh, my poor credit card). But not everything is easy, even if the prosthesis has given me back a social life. I still can’t quite get my head round it. It’s the symbol of my illness and my mutilation. But it is also my ally in my new life.”