October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. It is a time when we collectively raise awareness for breast cancer prevention, treatment, and research. In previous years, I would often use this time to write a post reflecting on my own experience with breast cancer in hopes to raise awareness among a younger audience of women. Why? I was 40 years old…
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
It was a challenging summer. Not one filled with lazy days, small adventures, and relaxing moments. This summer proved to be unsettling. My summer began with my regular scans and blood work, as many of you know if you read my post This Space in this Moment, and I am very grateful to share that everything came back within normal…
Surviving cancer. It alters so much about who you are: your values, your hopes, your mindset, and your ambitions. You become acutely aware of what truly matters in life, and perhaps, not surprisingly, the things you once placed value on and gave all your energy and time to, were not the things of importance. My son was 12 months…
In January of this year, I was approached by The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (PMCF) requesting if they could use my story as their feature for the spring mailing campaign. They outlined the requirements and provided details regarding the mailing. I was apprehensive. Sharing my story through blogging and online videos allowed some anonymity – sounds strange to say –…
It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And though I have shared My Story, I feel the need to talk a little more about the repercussions of the disease. I need to express how this disease steals from a woman and steals from her family; and how it alters a person physically, mentally, and emotionally. I want to make aware that…
As I approach my 2yr Cancerversary I realize that I’ve been taking baby steps the entire way. A bit too frightened to move forward, yet determined to make that step; a bit too hesitant to claim victory, yet resolved to triumph. I have an array of emotions, thoughts, feelings, memories, and sensations whirling around in my head and in my…
It is a remarkable spring day; although there is a cool breeze, the sun is brightly shining, and the warmth of its rays is stretching down from the brilliant blue skies to all below. Finally, it feels like the grip of winter has, at last, relented. Yet I struggle to smile today. I struggle to feel calm, serene, and happy….
Yesterday marked my final appointment at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and the University Health Network. I am filled with so many mixed emotions – gratitude, anxiety, nervousness, joy, and sadness. I am especially overwhelmed with sadness knowing that my final day at PMH also marks my son’s final day at Magic Castle. When I think back upon this breast…
Stress. Your body’s way of responding to a threat – physical, mental, or emotional. Stress. Stress is a factor in everyday life. We all experience various levels of stress; but when you are diagnosed with cancer your stress level skyrockets to unchartered heights. You stress about the extent of the disease, the surgery, the treatment, the recovery, the prognosis;…
As I have said, many times over, I thankfully did not embark on this cancer journey alone. I was surrounded by love, kindness, compassion, guidance, and support. I had a community of people from near and far rallying around me, ensuring that I, my husband, and my child were kept safe and cared for, both emotionally and physically. Today I…