Julie Drolet, a prominent journalist and anchor at RDI, has reached a significant milestone in her battle against aggressive breast cancer: she has officially completed her chemotherapy treatments. This announcement has been met with an outpouring of support and well-wishes from her fans and colleagues alike.
On May 6, 2025, Drolet took to her Facebook page to share the news, celebrating this important step in her recovery journey. "Last chemo today, I will be able to ring the golden bell to mark this!" she wrote, referring to the tradition in chemotherapy departments where patients ring a bell to signify the end of their treatment. "I rang the bell with energy! I was very moved. Ready for the next step in a few weeks: the operation!"
Drolet's journey has not been easy. Diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer in October 2024, she had to temporarily step away from her role on television to focus on her health. In a candid interview with Pénélope McQuade on RC OHdio, she revealed the emotional and physical toll the illness has taken on her. "It's been a real rollercoaster. There have been tough moments, but also times when I felt okay," she shared. "This chemotherapy series was hard. It’s called the Red Devil, or Doxorubicin. It's an old, very effective chemotherapy, but we have yet to find a less toxic version to replace it. In my case, the overwhelming fatigue has been the worst part. It’s very destabilizing to have no energy even after a night’s sleep."
Drolet described how she felt drained after even short walks, needing to recharge frequently. "For someone who is as hardworking as I am, this has been quite a blow! I will have this severe fatigue for a few more weeks, but then I will finally be able to rediscover myself!" she expressed, looking forward to regaining her energy and the freedom to enjoy her days fully.
Throughout her treatment, Drolet has leaned on her beloved dog, Hercule, for support. Earlier in the week, she highlighted the importance of her furry companion in her recovery journey, emphasizing how he has helped her cope with the challenges she faced.
Looking ahead, Drolet is preparing for surgery in the coming weeks. "This is a big step, the end of chemotherapy. When you start it, you have no idea how deep the lake is that you’ve just plunged into," she reflected. She knows that the road to recovery will still require further treatment, including immunotherapy for several months after her operation and radiotherapy scheduled for the summer.
In her heartfelt Facebook post, Drolet acknowledged the emotional weight of her experience. "I need to adjust my vision to a longer term. I have been focused on treatments since November. I must allow myself to think about what comes after the operation and the radiotherapy that will follow this summer. This is also part of the rehabilitation: to see further ahead. To envision myself alive for the long term. It includes seeing myself return to work and reclaim my professional identity."
The emotional impact of her illness has led her to reassess what truly matters in life. "Going through this experience strips away the superfluous and forces you to examine everything that filled your life before. You question who you are without your professional identity. You reflect on what counts when everything slips away," she said, expressing gratitude for the medical staff who supported her throughout her treatment. "I am full of gratitude for the medical personnel who accompanied me, especially the wonderful nurses in the chemotherapy department. They create an atmosphere of kindness and joy with every small victory, and they guide us through the bumps in the road."
As she prepares for the next chapter of her life, Drolet is also aware of the psychological challenges that lie ahead. "I will need to relearn lightness, to regain a bit of carefreeness. I know I will still coexist with the idea of my mortality. Once all treatments are completed, and the operation is behind me, I will enter the cycles of follow-ups and suspense. Will the cancer return? Will it leave me alone?"
Despite the uncertainty, Drolet remains hopeful, sharing stories of others who have faced similar challenges. "Many people who have had cancer have generously shared their stories with me. There are so many different cases and scenarios. Some have faced recurrences or new cancers, while others enjoy long remissions and put their cancer behind them. I take comfort in knowing that even those with terrible diagnoses can survive for many beautiful years and savor the last months with serenity. Everyone touches on what is essential during their experience with illness, what matters most to them."
With her journey documented and shared widely, Drolet hopes to inspire others facing similar battles. "We don't want to waste the precious time we have, gained through the hard-fought battles of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. We have left pieces of ourselves along the way. There are often aftereffects, but life is here. It is precious, and we are privileged to have had the chance to be treated and to add time to a life journey that could have been shorter otherwise."
As she moves forward, Julie Drolet remains a beacon of strength and resilience, a reminder of the power of hope and the importance of cherishing every moment.
