Bjørn Einar Romøren
When Bjørn Einar Romøren was ill with cancer, the organization Sarcomas became an important support for both him and his wife. – In many ways, it is worse to be a relative than the one who is ill, the former big jumper believes.
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– You just have to decide that you will get through this, and that this will go well until the opposite is proven. It’s stupid to walk around and sulk, says Bjørn Einar Romøren (40).
He has been through a tough time since he was diagnosed with cancer Sarkom. Now he wants to give something back.
In recent years, Here and Now has arranged a Christmas campaign where money is distributed to a charity a profiled person has chosen. Romøren has chosen the association that is closest to his heart, namely Sarcomas.
– As an athlete, my name has been in print many times. It is not every time it feels very useful for food, but to line up in a setting like this gives a different meaning. It feels extra good. When what you participate in gives results, it is fantastic. Then you sleep a little better at night. It is very good to be able to contribute.
Photo: Morten Bendiksen.
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Diagnosis just before the daughter’s birth
Why he has chosen Sarcoma, we have to go back a few years to explain. In 2005, Bjørn Einar set a world record in ski flying with 239 meters in Planica in Slovenia. Throughout his jumping career, he has, among other things, won World Cup gold and Olympic bronze with the Norwegian flag on his chest. In 2014, he resigned – then he would live the “real” life with his wife Martine Remsøy Romøren (34).
Also read: 610,000 Norwegians are affected by one of these diagnoses
The couple married in 2011 and settled at Hosle in Bærum. In 2017, Martine gave birth to her son Fred, and already towards the end of 2018, Martine was pregnant again.
Three months before the daughter Fiona was to announce her arrival, Bjørn Einar took an MRI. He had a sore back and was sure the prolapse was back.
When the doctor called at 21 on Saturday night, it was not to tell about a recurrent prolapse. The MRI had revealed a tumor, the further investigation showed that Bjørn Einar suffered from the bone tissue cancer Ewing sarcoma.
– Getting a cancer diagnosis is a shock no matter where you are in life. I had never heard of sarcoma when I was diagnosed. Everything went so fast, five days after the diagnosis I received my first chemotherapy treatment.
Sarcoma diagnosis:
Sarcoma includes various tumors in the skeleton, fat, muscle and connective tissue. There is bone sarcoma and soft tissue sarcoma, with many subgroups.
Sarcoma is a rare, and amounts to approx. 1 percent of all cancers diagnosed.
Sarcoma affects all ages, but is somewhat more common among children and adolescents. Treatment of sarcoma varies from surgery only to various combinations of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
To support Sarcoma:
Sarcoma is a Norwegian patient and peer organization for everyone affected by sarcoma.
The organization wants to be informative about a rare diagnosis, contribute to awareness and knowledge about sarcoma, and be a forum and a meeting place for people with sarcoma. Sarcoma is one of several voluntary, independent associations affiliated with the Norwegian Cancer Society.
Account number: 1503 68 21113. Vipps: 24577. sarkomer.no/gi-en-gave
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Cancer free for two years
Here and Now meets a smiling Bjørn Einar in the Cancer Society’s premises in Oslo. In a couple of months he has been cancer free for two years.
The old ski hero greets and strikes up a conversation with several of those who pass us in the large building. It is clear that he has spent a lot of time here.
For almost immediately after Bjørn Einar was back on his feet, he became involved in the patient and peer association Sarkomer, which is affiliated with the Cancer Society.
He has appeared in campaigns, for interviews, podcasts and in several other contexts to support the organization’s work.
– Radiumhospitalet uses the information from Sarkomer out to the patients, that was where I heard about them for the first time. Since my diagnosis is so rare, the information we received was very important to us.
– From Sarkomer we got help for everything, really. We learned what to expect in the course of cancer. We received help to send applications. There was significant support when everything else boiled.
Extra difficult to be a relative
For Martine as a relative, Sarcoma became especially valuable. Among other things, getting support and information from others than those with a doctor’s coat was important to her.
– In many ways, it is more difficult to be the relative, than the one who is ill. I know how I feel, I get all the information. As a relative, you can not do anything about the situation. There is not much the sick can do either, but you can at least influence your own mood and decide whether you get out of bed that day or not, Bjørn Einar explains.
Also read: Novalie (4) is the only one in Norway with this relentless disease
It is the leader of Sarkomer, Cathrine Moen-Nilsen and chairman of the board Pål Nedrelid who receives the gift check. They are eternally grateful for the commitment Bjørn Einar shows. The 40-year-old’s hope is to make a difference for those who are diagnosed after him.
– Sarcomas is a small patient association, it is very nice to be able to support. I hope the attention leads to more people making contributions that can hopefully help to give the patients and families affected a slightly better journey through the course of the disease.
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Bjørn Einar looks healthy today. He has regained the color in his face, which was chalk white when he received chemotherapy and radiation. Now the face is full of life.
Lying in bed almost around the clock
During the toughest period, he felt so tired that he lay in bed 22 hours a day. But all the time he was sure of one thing, and that was that he was going to get through it. The wife was not to be left with a house, two children and no husband.
The former top athlete has come a long way since the batteries were the toadstool of the tough cancer treatment. After Christmas, he is featured in “Mesternes mester” on NRK. The recording took place this summer, but for Bjørn Einar it is no longer about winning competitions. It is victory enough that he has the energy to be involved in the children’s lives.
– My shape today is pretty straightforward. I can not say that I am in as good shape as before it all started. But as long as I have enough form to follow up my two rackets, as well as do what I want, I am happy. I do not have to win “Norseman” (very tough triathlon editor’s note). As long as I can go hiking in the mountains with the family, that’s enough. That way, I’m very happy with the shape.
Do not be afraid of things
Romøren is not afraid of relapse.
– No I am not. The chance is there, absolutely, but I do not go around thinking about it. I’m lucky to be screwed so I’m not scared. Many people think it can be tough to just go to the hospital afterwards. I do not feel that. I’m very happy it’s like that for me, but I have respect for the fact that many find it so difficult.
– And that is exactly why it is important with patient associations! If you can not turn your mind to all the positive things in life instead of what can be a little difficult. Therefore, it is extra nice to give to some of the many who work day and night so that those affected and relatives can reach out to more people.
It is not long since Bjørn Einar resigned his position as marketing manager for jumping in the Norwegian Ski Association. From December, he has been employed by his wife’s company, and he is looking forward to embarking on new tasks.
Sometimes he reflects on how lucky he is to be cancer-free and able to celebrate Christmas with his wife and two children.
– Of course I drop by and feel gratitude during a Christmas Eve. It may sound like a cliché, but there are many more weekdays than holidays. I am more grateful to be able to join a forest trip, or to be able to accompany the children to swimming training. It is the everyday things that matter the most.
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