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When I found out I had cancer, I realized how many people keep quiet about such things. As if illness is a shame. That a
🇭🇷 Croatia /Health & Science

When I found out I had cancer, I realized how many people keep quiet about such things. As if illness is a shame. That angered me.

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Sources not specified Context piece
  • Ivančica Pahor, a former beauty pageant contestant and entrepreneur, is battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  • She describes the experience of receiving her diagnosis and undergoing treatment with dignity and gratitude.
  • Pahor emphasizes the importance of timely diagnosis and the strength found in loved ones and medical staff.

When diagnosed with cancer, a person's priorities shift dramatically, according to Ivančica Pahor, a former Miss Tourism World runner-up and entrepreneur. Pahor, who is undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, shared her perspective from the oncology ward, noting the prevailing sense of patience, calm, and profound gratitude for life among patients, despite long waits.

I would say that a sick person has completely different priorities. If you were to come to the oncology department, you would see people with serious diagnoses, but there is patience there. There is no rush or nervousness, even though one sometimes waits for hours. There is only peace and deep gratitude for life.

— Ivančica PahorPahor describes the atmosphere and mindset of patients at the oncology ward.

Pahor's journey to diagnosis began with a small lump on her neck. After returning from Sicily, she noticed hair loss, initially attributed to hormonal imbalance by her dermatologist. However, a subsequent call from her doctor revealed the "bad news": the biopsy result was malignant. In that moment, time seemed to stand still, but Pahor quickly resolved to move forward.

I would say that a sick person has completely different priorities. If you were to come to the oncology department, you would see people with serious diagnoses, but there is patience there. There is no rush or nervousness, even though one sometimes waits for hours. There is only peace and deep gratitude for life.

— Ivančica PahorPahor reflects on how illness changes one's perspective on life.

Despite the physical toll of chemotherapy and radiation, Pahor remains determined not to let her illness diminish her faith, smile, or love for life. She draws strength from her daughter, family, friends, and the medical team supporting her. Her story, devoid of self-pity, is marked by dignity, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for life's simple yet significant moments, like a look, a hug, or a kind word, especially when facing life's greatest challenges.

I remember that moment as if it were today. The doctor called me and said she had bad news - that the biopsy result was malignant. For a moment I paused, as if time stood still. Everything went silent. But very quickly I continued on, I was arranging poli

— Ivančica PahorPahor recounts the moment she received her cancer diagnosis.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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