Renowned Restaurateur Ksenia Fedorova’s Inspiring Battle with Breast Cancer
Renowned Restaurateur Ksenia Fedorova’s Inspiring Battle with Breast Cancer
Recently, Ksenia Fedorova, a well-known restaurateur from Belarus, received a life-altering diagnosis of breast cancer. Instead of succumbing to the challenge, she chose to fight it head-on, actively pursuing treatment and openly sharing her journey on social media. We asked Ksenia to share her story with our readers.
“The Doctor Looked at Me in Horror”
Before the interview, it seemed necessary to tread carefully with our heroine, given the gravity of her diagnosis. However, within minutes of conversation, it became clear that such precautions were unnecessary. Ksenia radiates energy, her words filled with strength, determination, and a strong belief that everything will be alright. The first question was obvious: how did she find out about her diagnosis and how did she react?
“For a year, I hadn’t been feeling well—constant fatigue and sleepiness, with no energy left for anything. I knew something was wrong but couldn’t find the cause, even though I took tests several times and consulted different doctors. I attributed it to stress and worry, but eventually, during a self-examination, I discovered a lump in my breast. My mother had cancer, so I immediately understood that the lump was also a tumor. I tried to calm myself by thinking it was small, but it turned out to be much more serious than I thought.”
Ksenia scheduled an ultrasound. “The doctor’s face changed, and she started saying goodbye to me, asking how many children I had and lamenting that my daughter was still very young. She looked at me with a mix of fear and horror, and I began to doubt if I would even make it home. This raises the question of how doctors convey information to patients.”
According to Ksenia, she maintained her composure despite being diagnosed with stage three cancer, but there was a moment when she truly felt afraid.
“When I was in Borovlyany, the doctors were very concerned; they thought I might have metastases in my brain. Fortunately, the MRI did not confirm their suspicions. But at that moment, it was scary, and I had to think about death. Of course, I wanted to live as long as possible.”
Life After the Diagnosis
Ksenia admits that her life had to be restructured after learning about her diagnosis.
“Life has certainly changed. You live and make plans, but then you realize that you have a diagnosis that changes everything: from your attitude towards your habits to the fact that your primary goal is to start treatment and recover. If before you could ignore your well-being, now it’s impossible: your health is the most important thing. The world turned upside down, and I could only focus on diagnosis and treatment.”
Ksenia says she did not fall into depression but decided to act immediately.
“Perhaps some internal management turned on, and I started making an action plan. I realized that this plan would not be for a week but for the next year or two.”
“There Was Some Anger. Especially After Chemotherapy”
“I can’t say that after learning about the diagnosis, I became more suspicious and began to appreciate the small things in life. On the contrary, there was some anger. Especially after the first or second chemotherapy: I felt weak and couldn’t do what I wanted. I was particularly angry after someone advised me to rest for a day and everything would be fine. In reality, it turned out that I couldn’t get out of bed for a week.”
“…I had to adjust my life so that even in my condition, I could still interact with work and people, go outside. Even if it was just half a kilometer, but I had to walk. Maybe I’m just a person of action, and movement is very important to me.”
“I Explained to My Eldest Son That Everything Can Be Overcome”
Ksenia has three children, and all of them know about their mother’s diagnosis.
“My eldest son has autism, and he wasn’t very impressed by this news, although he usually perceives everything emotionally. The 19-year-old middle son was the most frightened and worried, but I talked to him and explained that everything can be overcome.”
Some people, upon learning of such a diagnosis, isolate themselves from others and hide their illness. But Ksenia speaks openly about her disease. Moreover, she helps others with information and moral support.
“I believe that it’s up to everyone how to behave in such a situation. I shared my story because I lead a fairly active life, and many people know me. I also needed to inform my employees about the illness to restructure the work system. And I assumed that I might change externally, so I saw no point in hiding what was happening: I would have to lie a lot about small things, and the truth would come out anyway.”
“It’s Right When You Don’t Have to Hide Anything”
“I was greatly helped by numerous responses to my confession. It turned out that many people are or have been ill but are ashamed to talk about it openly. It’s not that people are afraid to ask for something; when I announced it, it wasn’t about asking. I think it’s right: to inform and live on, then you don’t have to hide anything.”
Acquaintances and strangers helped me with advice, consultations with doctors, and treatment. I’m not even talking about the moral support, which really touches and warms. There were suggestions about the church and some herbs, but I think these people just wanted to show their participation as much as possible.
However, Ksenia does not participate in thematic forums: she does not consider it necessary to delve into the topic of the disease.
“I was sent a lot of links to groups, to some bloggers who went through the illness. But I realized that I don’t want to join yet. The more I sit on these forums, the more I will live the disease. And I want to live my life, but of course, considering that I am a person with a certain diagnosis and a treatment plan.”
Ksenia continues to work but at a different pace.
“I switched to a gentler mode. It’s clear that if the question is acute: health or work, I will choose the first.”
“We Don’t Have Established Communication Between Doctor and Patient”
“The problem is that doctors generally do not make predictions. We have good specialists, but our system does not provide for communication between doctors and patients. They generally do not comment on anything but only prescribe treatment. Unfortunately, we don’t have a system where you go to the hospital and learn everything about your illness, from nutrition to recommendations. I took my treatment into my own hands, so to speak. I had to communicate with several specialists and figure out what was right and what was not. I repeat, I am satisfied with the level of qualification of our doctors, but I am not satisfied with the lack of communication with the patient.”
“I recently went to Germany for a consultation to confirm the diagnosis and make sure I was doing everything right.”
“Why Be Afraid of What Hasn’t Happened Yet?”
Many associate cancer with a death sentence, but Ksenia sees it differently. She even manages to perceive her new hairstyle after chemotherapy with some humor.
“Most people give up when they hear such a diagnosis. Probably, endurance comes with experience because you can’t be born strong. But I believe that even with such a diagnosis, not everything is lost. No matter how much time you have left, you still need to live here and now, to the fullest, and not be afraid of what hasn’t happened yet.”
For more information on breast cancer, you can visit the American Cancer Society website.
