The turning point in my life came when my friend gave me a copy of the magazine Tautas veselība [People’s health] in April 2015, where Zinta Uskale, founder of the Pink Train Foundation told of her persistent struggle with breast cancer and how she, together with her sister and brother’s girlfriend, organises help for women like me, other women in the same situation.

I phoned her for a chat, but it turned out to be a very inspirational and long-term acquaintance with help towards my rehabilitation. With the help of this charity I've had sessions with specialists at the Raivis Arsauskis Physiotherapy Centre with exercises tailored for my specific needs, to help avoid swelling and increase movement in my arms. I am very grateful to physiotherapist Gita Gintere Kikuste.

Time went on, but even though I was exercising and walking a lot, in an attempt to get back to a normal rhythm of life as much as possible, occasionally I was overwhelmed by apathy and I struggled - once again the Pink Train arrived, in the shape of Zinta Uskale who offered to send me to see a psychologist. I had never visited specialists such as this and was sceptical. However, I started having sessions at the Crisis and Consultation Centre Skalbes, with psychologist Zane Avotina, and had 8 sessions in total. They really helped me! I started sleeping better, was less anxious and began looking at the future more optimistically!

I want to experience many more Spring seasons with cherry-blossom, summers with our wonderful celebrations such as Ligo [Midsummer], autumn with its harvests and forest bounties – mushrooms, berries and, of course, winter with the smell of Christmas…

Let us fight for our health and not despair!

Yours faithfully,

Inta