Constance was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After six months of treatment, the results were positive. An RTL team followed her journey, from her final round of chemotherapy through to her return to everyday life. The report is available in Luxembourgish and French.
In July 2025, Constance, then aged 12, noticed a lump under her arm while getting dressed. Her parents immediately consulted a doctor. She subsequently underwent several tests, which led to a PET scan at the Paediatric Clinic.
A few days later, Constance and her parents met the doctor at the surgery. Constance asked her doctor with maturity and curiosity: “Is my condition serious?” and then “Is it cancer?” First looking at her parents, then at her, the doctor confirmed that it was.
Constance was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymph nodes and, in her case, had already spread to her lungs. Despite this, it was not always obvious that she was ill, as she remained full of energy and cheerful even during treatment.
She was treated at the CHL Paediatric Clinic, where she underwent six months of treatment combining chemotherapy and cortisone. During this time, she spent many days and nights in hospital. She played UNO with her parents and continued practising the cello – a talent she had learned from a young age and which she inherited from her father, a piano teacher at the Conservatoire.
Constance’s illness began in the year she was due to start secondary school, which for her is one of the most important stages of growing up. Due to her treatment and weakened immune system, she was unable to attend classes in person.
However, thanks to the CARE service, she was able to follow lessons remotely using an avatar in the classroom, attend via an iPad, and receive home visits from a teacher.
At the end of November, the RTL team met Constance during her final round of chemotherapy and followed up with her a month later as she returned to school and resumed a more normal life.
She explained that the past six months had taught her a great deal about life, particularly about living through treatment. She said: “I am relieved that it’s over but I will never forget it”.
