«The future is currently in a fog». Katya Pytleva on the return of cancer, family, work, and the future

Katsyaryna Pytleva is a Belarusian journalist and TV presenter. She started on television at the age of 14, in 1997, beginning with the show «5×5» on BT. She worked on BT, ONT, STV, BelMuzTV, and Ukraine’s A-One, hosting music, entertainment, and social projects. For 13 years, she worked at Radio Mir, as well as on Radius FM and Autoradio.

Later, she moved into social journalism at Tut.by, where she hosted the projects «Oncomarker» and «Women's Health». In 2020, she resigned from BT in protest against the violence and policies of the authorities.

Following her forced departure from Belarus, she lives and works in Lithuania: she was the program director and host at Malanka Media, and later collaborated with «Liusterka» (Zerkalo). Currently, she is involved in environmental projects and works at Humana, where she does upcycling (creative repurposing of old clothes).

In 2022, she publicly spoke about her oncological illness. She went through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

«I have confirmed metastases in my spine and bones»

— Katya, you are well known not only as a journalist, but also as someone who speaks openly about an oncological diagnosis. You were in remission for three years, but now the disease has returned. Please tell us what is happening now.

— Right now, I have confirmed metastases: three were found in my spine, and one in a bone. Soon, a medical board will decide on my treatment plan. I'm also seeing a radiologist. He will make a decision regarding radiation therapy, as I have developed pain in one area. It's not constant, but it happens. Radiation should help.

The main thing now is what the board decides. A great deal depends on that. I am studying medical literature, noting potential treatment options for myself.

— As I understood from your Facebook post, you decided to get checked not because of severe symptoms, but rather just to be safe?

— I monitor my health very closely all the time. If something doesn't feel right, I immediately go to the doctor to check and make sure everything is fine.

This time, over the course of several months, I had certain issues with my stomach. There was no pain, but I felt that something was off. I have a genetic predisposition and a mutation that is also linked to cancer in that area. That is why I decided to check what was going on. I asked the doctor which tumor marker test I could take. She suggested a general tumor marker used to track recurrences. It turned out to be elevated.

— You wrote that you are sharing these details because people who are in remission follow you on social media. What advice would you give them?

— Many people have written and continue to write to me: asking questions about treatment, about receiving care in Lithuania and Europe, about my experience, what to do, and where to turn.

Павялічыць

— I remember how I felt when I was sick, and during remission. Bad news about a recurrence or death throws you off balance completely. Your mental state is extremely fragile when you are sick or in remission. For example, I was deeply shocked by the death of Sviatlana Kurs.

Therefore, when I realized that I was going to write about my situation, I tried to answer potential questions in advance. So that someone who is in remission or battling illness and reads my post could get the necessary information and perhaps reduce their anxiety a bit. I immediately wrote about what happened, what symptoms were present or absent, and the algorithm of steps I went through.

My advice is simple: you must remain vigilant, listen to your body, monitor lab results over time, and do additional screenings when there are suspicions—and sometimes even when there aren't. Because the doctor could have sent me away for another six months. If not for my questions, there wouldn't have been any additional testing.

Павялічыць

«One has to live in the here and now»

— You wrote about life expectancy with a cancer diagnosis. How has the disease altered your perception of the future?

— The future is currently in a fog. That is a very painful and difficult question.

— But I'll say this: I view the possible outcomes soberly and calmly. I saw what happened to my mother, as she was in the same situation. But during my first battle with the illness, I realized that one has to live in the here and now. And those aren't just words; it is the lifestyle of a person who might not have a distant future. Over these three years of remission, I developed this mindset.

That's why it is even easier for me now to face the future, including the scariest scenarios. When I first got sick, the children were very little—they were five years old. Now they are almost ten, and I feel more at peace about my family. And that's what matters most.

I feel that my life has been good, vibrant, and interesting. I don't have the feeling that I missed out on something or failed to do something important.

I want to be with my loved ones for as long as possible, share more experiences and emotions with them, give them as much love as I can, and help my children become more independent. That is very important.

I remember my own childhood: it was hard for my father to be left alone with two children—me and my sister. That’s why now I am also thinking about how to prepare my kids for an independent life.

Павялічыць

— But there is also a personal future, not just a family one. Recently, I went back to studying. When I first fell ill, I enrolled in a master's program at EHU, but had to drop out: I couldn't work, study, and undergo chemotherapy all at the same time.

Now I am studying again. It's a small educational project related to renewable energy. I hope I will have time to realize myself in this field too. I find it very interesting.

It's important that life remains in your life, not just illness. So I plan to continue doing upcycling at my main job, working on environmental projects in the «Green Belarus» Alliance, and studying renewable energy.

For now, nothing has radically changed. I will continue living the life I planned and have right now. I feel good in it. And then we'll see—perhaps my health will make some adjustments.

«Children need to know what is happening»

— How did you and your husband get through that month and a half of waiting for the diagnosis to be confirmed? How did the children react?

Павялічыць

— We talked a lot. My husband knew this could happen, and I knew it too. Of course, we didn't expect it to happen so soon. Right now, we discuss the situation. I research things and tell him: there are these treatment methods, and there are others. We discuss what pertains to the present: what we need to do right now. And as for what comes next—we'll deal with it when it comes.

We told the kids that mom's illness has returned, that mom might become quite ill and spend more time in the hospital. But that's not certain yet, as treatment could also take place at home.

Павялічыць

We explained that they need to learn to be more independent, because mom won't always be able to do things.

I immediately told my husband that I remember myself as a child. It is important that children know what is happening, rather than feeling fear when adults hide things, whisper, and don't explain the situation.

— You live in Lithuania. Does insurance cover your treatment? Do you need assistance right now?

— For now, all expenses are covered by Lithuanian state health insurance. It is accessible both to refugees and to people with residence permits. All these years, I have been getting check-ups at the local cancer institute, and so far everything has been free.

However, there are various treatment options that state insurance does not always cover. That will depend on how the board decides to treat me and what they prescribe. If needed, we will look for other options.

There is an issue: they might not be able to perform a biopsy because of the difficult location of the largest metastasis. And without a biopsy, it's very hard to select an effective treatment. That's why I am already looking into alternative methods, such as a liquid biopsy. I might have to pay for it out of pocket.

For now, these aren't such large amounts that I would need to ask for help. But I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me with comments and offers. There were so many of them, including offers to help with information and fundraising. I know where to turn if help is needed.

Thank you to our wonderful Belarusian men and women.

«I don't force myself to work beyond my limits»

— During your first round of treatment, you continued to work actively, attended conferences, and gave interviews. How important was it for you to stay in demand and fulfilled during such a difficult time? Do you plan to live like that now?

— When I was sick the first time, I really did work a lot. Looking back, I can see that it had both good and bad sides. It was good because work distracted me from prognoses and the illness. But I didn't let myself rest at all. There were times when I participated in conferences or conducted interviews while on an IV drip. I believe that is not healthy.

Павялічыць

On the one hand, I was genuinely passionate about what I was doing back then. On the other hand, you have to consider the circumstances we found ourselves in. I couldn't afford not to work because I had to support raising the kids. And raising kids in emigration is expensive.

Later, I reconsidered my attitude toward work, illness, and my own health. Now I continue to work, but on a comfortable schedule, with the option to take sick leave if necessary. During my first illness, I didn't have that option at all.

Matters of demand and ambition have long ceased to interest me. What matters to me is whether what I do is interesting and whether it supports me emotionally. If not, I simply don't do it.

I haven't worked on camera for over a year now; I found myself in a new profession. I feel comfortable, engaged, and enthusiastic, but now I treat myself very gently. I will approach work the same way in the near future.

— Tell us about your new job with vintage clothing.

— Under my contract, I can't share too much about this work, but I can share what is permitted.

There is a large holding called Humana. It's not just vintage clothing, but second-hand in general. I have been working there for a year and a half doing clothing upcycling (repurposing old, unneeded, or pre-owned items into new products of higher value or better quality — RFE/RL).

Павялічыць

There is a collection called Grunge. It's rocker, youth-oriented clothing. When it comes to second-hand and vintage, you find really cool pieces, but sometimes with flaws. Or the garments themselves might not be interesting or striking enough. My job is to give them a second life.

I do patchwork—sewing by machine and by hand, dyeing items, fixing flaws. For example, if a piece is great but has a stain, I can come up with a creative way to work around it.

This requires a lot of imagination, and I absolutely love it. Other staff members select garments that could fit the collection, the manager checks if they match the concept, and then I work on them to create something exciting.

I'm thrilled that this collection is sold in several European countries. I was told that the latest batch in Belgium sold out in just two hours. That means what I do is in demand. And that makes me very happy.

«What matters to me is being with my loved ones for as long as possible»

— A cancer diagnosis makes many people rethink what is important and what is not. What are your priorities right now?

Павялічыць

— For a long time now, my loved ones—my husband and children—have been my priority. They are the most important thing I have, the ones I love dearly. Right now, what matters to me is doing everything possible to be with them for as long as I can. And preferably in the best possible condition, so I can take care of them and spend time together.

I also want to lay some foundation for the children. Even in the best-case scenario, they will still not be fully grown up. So the main thing is doing something to ensure they are well. I see that as the purpose of my remaining life.

— Do online arguments and conflicts affect you these days?

Павялічыць

— Naturally, I follow them, but I don't see any point in commenting on all of it. Everyone has their own view of the situation. My stance is that Belarus must be free, political prisoners must be released, Lukashenka's regime must go, and the new Belarus will be a wonderful country. Belarusians who left, if they wish, should be able to return home.

That is what I stand on. And the path by which we all get there, I believe, will emerge in the process. That is what we are seeing right now.

I believe that I have done everything I could on my part for the new Belarus up to this point. Whatever else I can do, I will: donations, informational support.

«A recurrence does not happen to everyone»

— What would you advise people who have received a cancer diagnosis, as well as those who fear getting cancer?

— To those battling illness, I want to wish a swift and long-lasting remission. One could wish for strength, but that's such a cliché... I wish for you to have supportive people by your side and to have the inner resources—everyone's are different. To have enough resources to get through all of this and achieve a swift and long remission.

Павялічыць

And it is also very important to remember: a recurrence, like in my situation, does not happen to everyone. This by no means implies that it will inevitably happen to you. For instance, in my family, I am the sixth woman to have cancer. And two of my relatives have been recurrence-free for 30 years.

So remember that every case is unique. It's important to do what you can and never give up. Life, however much of it there may be, is wonderful.

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