People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built."-Eleanor Roosevelt

When I started this journey, never did I think I'd be sharing my experience in front of 1500 people. 😁😁

I thought it all went pretty well until my 7 year old son told me "It was a little long, mom."  The scary thing is, kids often speak the truth. I'll keep it mind for another time, maybe when Ellen invited me on to share....

Thank you for this honour today. There’s no place I’d rather be than with this great group of volunteers dedicated to supporting men and women with breast cancer and helping The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation raise funds for research.  I am certain, that because of the advancements made in treatments, I can stand here and share my story today. 

 

Two years ago, to this day, I was making an appointment to see my doctor about a sore left breast. But I wasn’t worried about it because I had seen her 4 months prior for a check-up, examination, and mammogram for some pain I was experiencing.  The mammogram was clear but stated that I had dense breasts and should continue monitoring. She and I agreed to do this and I carried on with life as a busy teacher and mother of two young boys.  

 

As it turned to fall, I was experiencing some changes that I felt were possibly a part of early menopause.  When my husband said to me, “Something is not right here, I want you here forever”, I knew it was time to investigate it further.  By the time I got my appointment, my breast had been swelling daily. 

But still, I was sure it was nothing serious. I was under the assumption that my super-teacher immunity at 37 years of age, my active lifestyle through sport and exercise, my disinterest in smoking, and the fact that I had no cancer in my family kept me pretty safe from anything crazy, like breast cancer.  However, within another 3 weeks of my second mammogram I was told I had a 9 cm cancerous tumour, the size of my fist, and would need to begin the tests to see if it had spread.  I will never forget that day and the following weeks. Sheer panic. Numerous tears. An army of thoughts and questions. A multitude of phone calls and emails.  Innumerable sleepless nights. And countless prayers.

 

The next 2 years included 17 sessions of Chemotherapy, 25 sessions of radiation, 4 surgeries, 5 emergency room visits, 186 physiotherapy and rehab appointments, and 39 doctor visits.  And still, after all that, I’m not sure if I get more looks of sympathy for being a cancer survivor or a grade 8 teacher!!??   

 

Thankfully, some of the same attitudes and attributes it takes to teach middle years, are also useful for taking on cancer. The only thing I ever wanted to do with my life was be a teacher.  Like all teachers, it’s always been important to me to be a positive role model. And that was no different for me the week I had to tell my students, family, and friends that I had cancer and would have to start my treatments, immediately. The last thing a teacher wants to do is cause fear and sadness amongst a group of kids she dedicates most of her life to, but that is what I had to do. I knew I had to do my best to show my students, my friends, and my family that overcoming cancer, although terrifying, was achievable. 

 

I was certain, for many of my students and friends, I would be the first person in their life with cancer, so it was important to me to show them I could face it with strength and courage. I wanted to show them no matter what gets thrown at you, when you surround yourself with good people, they will help you get through anything, and be there with you through it all, no matter what. And, I wanted to show them that it’s ok to shed tears when you’re scared, sad, frustrated, confused, and overwhelmed but, you have to pick yourself up, put one foot in front of the other, and face the challenges in front of you head on.

 

I’m so grateful that after going through the last two years fighting stage 3, HER 2 + breast cancer, I’m slowly returning to my responsibilities and routines as a mother, wife, friend and teacher.  It, of course, has not been without sacrifices and efforts on the part of myself, my family and friends, and the healthcare team at the Allen Blair and Pasqua Hospital. I have endured a lot of physical and emotional pain due to chemotherapy, double mastectomy, lymphnode removal, tissue damage from radiation, failed reconstruction, and lymphedema.  My husband and family have handled so many daily responsibilities when I was unable to: caring for our boys, cleaning, cooking, driving me to and from appointments, spending hundreds of hours in waiting rooms and hospital rooms.  Friends and colleagues have dropped off meals, care packages, gifts, and treats.  Health care workers at the Allen Blair and Pasqua Hospital have provided treatments, medicines, surgeries, physiotherapy, back rubs, and hugs that have exceeded anything I could have expected.…. 

And thanks to all of these efforts by all of these people that I consider to be a part of TEAM RATHERBSHOPPING – I am an example that breast cancer treatments helps save lives.

 

Despite, my success, I am very aware of the brave men and women living day by day, and scan by scan. Trying to live the best lives they can, every day, while hoping to stay alive to see a cure for the cancer that has spread beyond their breast.  I’m also very aware that many of you are here to honour friends and family that approached breast cancer with the same attitudes and attributes I spoke of, but are notable to be here to share their stories. And that is why I am up here today, to show my support and respect for all that you have gone through as well as to honour the courageousness and the fight all of you have shown through the challenges you faced with breast cancer, yourself, and with loved ones.  A person can do everything right, and still not survive this deadly disease. I’ve been thrust into a community of people with cancer, and I’ve seen them do all the things I’ve mentioned and more, and still not survive it. And, that makes facing each day pretty scary for me and sad and frustrating for those of you who watched someone you love, struggle and suffer with this disease.  

For all of these reasons, it is necessary for us to continue to support The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation so they can advocate for research and education on behalf of all people diagnosed with breast cancer in the past and in the future. There are over 24,000 Canadian people a year counting on us to continue to support this foundation as well as all of us wearing these pink shirts here today. So much has been learned but there is still so much more to find out.

But for today, let’s all take satisfaction in knowing that together, we are changing the face of breast cancer. Thank you for giving your time, your money, and your efforts.

 

If you’re going to be passionate about something, be passionate about learning.

If you’re going to fight for something, fight for those in need.

If you’re going to question something, question authority.

If you’re going to lose something, lose your inhibitions.

If you’re going to gain something, gain respect and confidence.

And if you’re going to hate something, hate the false idea that you are not capable of your dreams.