Cancer survivor Viire Valdma: I could have gone straight on stage during chemotherapy, but I did not cut back

Viire Valdma continued performing while undergoing chemotherapy, even when severe pain made it difficult. The Draamateater actress told Vikerraadio host Owe Petersell that she had the chance to go straight from treatment to the stage, and chose not to reduce her workload.

Valdma said the past several years had tested her in several ways. Her long-term relationship ended, and she then went for a health checkup, where doctors discovered a small but highly dangerous and aggressive tumor. In retrospect, she sees a connection between the two events.

“

If that breakup had not happened, I probably would not have taken that step. With my diagnosis, people usually seek help at the fourth stage. I had the first stage, and I beat it.

“If that breakup had not happened, I probably would not have taken that step. With my diagnosis, people usually seek help at the fourth stage. I had the first stage, and I beat it,” Valdma said.

She said she held on to her optimism during the difficult period and now focuses on recovery rather than the illness itself. “I face every day with gratitude and joy. I expect something exciting to happen in life,” she said. “I think about healing.”

“

I face every day with gratitude and joy. I expect something exciting to happen in life!

The treatment itself, she acknowledged, was painful. “It was a terrible time. When I went in for surgery, I had performances of ‘Rahamaa.’ I was with my company. During chemotherapy, I had the chance to go straight on stage, and I did not cut back. I felt very bad. I was in a lot of pain. It was terrible pain, and I would not wish it on anyone. But it is possible to get through it. You take painkillers. Life cannot be put on hold, and you cannot remain miserable. I simply did not give myself that option,” she said.

“

It was a terrible time. When I went in for surgery, I had performances of ‘Rahamaa.’ I was with my company. During chemotherapy, I had the chance to go straight on stage, and I did not cut back. I felt very bad. I was in a lot of pain. It was terrible pain, and I would not wish it on anyone. But it is possible to get through it. You take painkillers. Life cannot be put on hold, and you cannot remain miserable. I simply did not give myself that option.

This summer, Valdma also worked for a month as a cook at the iiUmekk restaurant on Hiiumaa. She said she wrote to head chef Mihkel Heinmets one December evening and offered to work as his assistant. Her message began by identifying herself as “Viire Valdma, Reket’s mother,” referring to the rapper Reket. Heinmets replied that she would be welcome if she had the stamina and character for the job.

Valdma said she still has plenty of acting work, including roles in productions that have run for many years and are expected to continue. “I have enough work, and I like that they are good jobs,” she said, adding with a laugh: “I praise myself; who else is going to praise me?”

“

I have enough work, and I like that they are good jobs. I praise myself; who else is going to praise me?