Irene’s Journey Through Breast Cancer

In episode 2 of Heal avec Delphine, we meet Irene, a warm, funny woman whose life changed after an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis at 36.

What followed was a fast-moving treatment journey, difficult losses and the discovery that friendship and small moments of joy could help her keep going.

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

Irene found a lump while getting dressed for dinner.

She called her doctor, and within days a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy confirmed breast cancer. She was first told it was stage one. After surgery, doctors found the tumor was larger than expected and cancer had reached a lymph node. Her diagnosis changed to stage 2B.

The treatment plan she expected to involve radiation became chemotherapy followed by radiation. She was frightened of what chemotherapy might do to her body and worried about the future. Irene also lost her job and was hurt when a close friend asked for distance just as she needed support. It felt like one difficult thing after another.

During treatment, she lost her hair, brows and lashes.

The People Who Stayed

Irene’s friend Shina chose to show up. She brought food, took Irene on walks and helped her laugh when the days felt heavy. Shina's friendship offered comfort in a moment when Irene could not escape what she was facing, but did not have to face it alone.

Irene’s openness about her diagnosis also mattered to her. In a family culture where health struggles were often kept private, she chose to share her experience in case someone else might recognize their own story in hers.

A Surprise For Irene

When Irene came to my atelier, her brows had begun to grow back, but the tails were still missing. We created a soft restoration that followed her natural hair. Seeing her brows return brought her joy, though she said the connection and laughter she shared with everyone around her meant even more.

We had something special planned for Irene that day. Watch the episode to see what the surprise was and how she reacted.

After 8 Rounds of Chemotherapy

After eight rounds of chemotherapy, Irene was starting to look ahead. She talked about wanting to find joy in ordinary days and take things one day at a time. Some days she could do what she hoped; on others, she gave herself room to slow down.

Her story holds both the hard parts and the good ones: uncertainty, laughter, and the people who kept showing up.

Watch the documentary to hear Irene share her experience in her own words and see how friendship and small moments helped her through it.

Watch the trailer for Heal avec Delphine

Irene’s story is featured in episode 2 of Heal avec Delphine, an intimate docuseries about identity, connection and the experiences that shape us.