ALICJA & EVA ‘
‘She left chicken soup on my doorstep’
Alicja Bunjo, 37, from Milton Keynes, explains how her friend Eva nourished her back to health.
Whenever I opened the door to see what my friend Eva Lourensz had left on the doorstep, it always made me smile. There could be beautiful yellow flowers or vital bits of shopping I needed. Once, she made a delicious pot of nourishing rosół, a Polish-style chicken and vegetable soup, known for its healing qualities. Nothing was ever too much trouble for Eva, who I got to know as a fellow Pole and school mum when our children were in the same class.
Three months after giving birth to my second child, Nelly, I found a lump. I’d always been vigilant because my mum died of breast cancer aged 43, which was devastating, but my genetic tests were negative, so the diagnosis in May 2020 hit me hard.
I kept thinking I wouldn’t make it to Nelly’s first birthday. Every time I looked at her, and my son, Finlay, then aged six, I burst into tears, terrified I wouldn’t be able to watch them grow.
Given my family history, once I’d finished chemotherapy I had a double mastectomy to reduce the risk of recurrence or a new cancer developing. I had reconstructive surgery, and a year later my ovaries were removed as a preventative measure.
It was an ordeal and Covid made everything worse. We couldn’t see anyone outside our household and risk stopping my treatment. My partner, Danny, took some time off to look after me, but eventually had to return to work.
I’d only known Eva for four years, but I felt more comfortable with her than some friends I had known for years, because we were able to talk about trivial things, such as neighbourhood gossip or the kids, rather than cancer.
She understood I was struggling with eating during my treatment, and made me dishes without questioning
‘Eva understood I was struggling with eating and made me food’
any of the ingredients I insisted on.
A year after my diagnosis, I ran a half-marathon as a way of saying I’d kicked cancer’s butt. It was hard, but Eva was cheering me on. She’s going through a divorce now and I want to help her through it, just as she has done for me.’
EVA, 43, SAYS: ‘When Alicja phoned to tell me about her diagnosis, I felt helpless because I had no experience of cancer. She was clearly traumatised, especially after what happened to her mum, and it was hard not being able to hug her. I wanted to make sure I was available for anything Alicja needed. I often left yellow roses on her doorstep because I heard they represent friendship; anything to brighten her day. Once Covid restrictions eased, I helped out more with the kids. Now that she’s better, she’s the one supporting me through my divorce.
We’ll always be there for each other.’