She chose not to hide anything, not even the moment her hair began to fall out in clumps and the even more difficult moment of shaving it completely. Her husband, Pierpaolo, was by her side, sharing the gesture of solidarity. Marta Mattu, 47, decided to share the story of the illness that changed her life in just a few months on social media, revealing her fears, fragility, and small achievements . Not to appear invincible, but to be of help to those who are going through the same thing.
It all started in June, with abdominal pain that prompted her to undergo an ultrasound. The initial suspicion was ovarian cancer or lymphoma. "My first thought was: Oh God, what's happening to me? It's impossible for something like this to be happening to me, because until the day before, I was feeling great." After weeks of tests and the removal of both ovaries, the diagnosis came on August 4th: an aggressive form of blood cancer that affects white blood cells.
For treatment, Marta chose Milan, where she found an organization that, she explains, allowed her to approach the practical aspects of the process with greater peace of mind. "I didn't want to struggle with waiting times, disorganization, or the feeling of not being cared for as I deserved ."
Initially, she wanted to keep it all to herself. Then, during a night in the hospital, she opened Instagram and changed her mind. Her profiles have become a diary of her illness, from infusions to postponed appointments for blood tests and more difficult days. "If sharing it can make even just one person feel less lost, understood, ready, then it's worth it."
A decision that has reached many people, even strangers, who have written to thank her. " I'm not doing this to show off or to say I'm a hero. It's a disease made up of tests, therapies, good days and bad days ."
Marta has already undergone four of the six scheduled chemotherapy infusions. She's also learned to look at herself differently: "It's an illness I got, I shouldn't be ashamed." To the woman she was before her diagnosis today, she would tell her not to be afraid, to allow herself tears and anger, and to live one day at a time. Because " you get sick, you get treatment, and in the meantime, you live as best you can ."
