Quebecer with cancer given months to live seeks treatment in Honduras
Posted January 31, 2024 11:54 am.
Last Updated January 31, 2024 6:43 pm.
A dreadful prognosis. A last-hope treatment. And a supportive community backing her every step of the way.
When Mélanie Roussel was given months to live after a relapse, she refused to give up hope.
The 36-year-old stepmom from Vaudreuil, Que., west of Montreal, has been told treatment can’t cure her cancer, but it would prolong her life expectancy and quality of life. Roussel leaves for Honduras in less than two weeks.
“I’m gonna do everything I can,” said Roussel. “I’m not ready to give up.”
The treatment — targeted osmotic lysis (TOL) – consists of two sessions per week, lasting two hours each. At the very least, she would need six treatments over three weeks. The number of treatments could increase, though, depending on her response.
And then comes the exorbitant price. Each treatment costs about US$12,000 each (about $16,000). Roussel also needs to pay for travel, accommodation and transportation.
That’s where her community made up of generous Montrealers, Canadians – and likely others from abroad – comes in. In the hopes of giving Roussel more time with her loved ones, including her boyfriend and his son, they’ve raised more than $40,000 so far – from a Zumbathon to an online fundraiser.
“I don’t know how to thank them,” said Roussel. “I’m so grateful to have the community behind me that can make that happen and at least extend, you know, my life.”
Roussel was first diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in March 2022 and underwent chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. The following spring, the cancer returned, with her doctors in Quebec saying they did all they could.
“We pray that she can leave with peace of mind and concentrate on her treatments,” her GoFundMe organizers wrote in a recent update.
On New Year’s Eve, Roussel found out the grim news about her life expectancy. A month later, she was selected for the treatment in Honduras.
“She’s fearless,” said Mark Robichaud, Roussel’s boyfriend. “She has the strength that I never saw in a person.”
The two met through a friend, after Roussel began her Cancer journey.
“I could have all the reasons to run away,” said Robichaud. “I fell in love with that girl for all the reasons: the strength, the kindness that she has.”
“I have a nine-year-old son,” he added. “The day that I presented her my son — the bond between those two was incredible.”
“That explains it, that’s the person she is.”
“She’s always willing to help the others.”
“The reason why I’m so proud of Mélanie,” said Kalila Rahaman, her best friend since nine years old. “Is that since her diagnosis and throughout her entire battle so far, she’s just been so strong and so positive.”
“I just truly wish that she’ll be able to get this treatment,” she added. “That it will help extend her life so that she can create more memories with us.”
More memories…filled with beautiful adventures.
Like the beautiful person that she is.
“I’m just gonna fight,” said Roussel. “I’m gonna do everything I can.”
“I’m not ready to give up.”
