Finding hope is behind everything we do at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation; hope for those living with breast cancer and their family and friends.
We’ve created this blog to give you the opportunity to share your emotions, thoughts and stories about breast cancer. Whether you are a survivor, a loved one or a supporter of the cause we’d love to hear from you
We are looking for all kinds of stories;
- Share your personal experience with breast cancer, the challenges you have faced and how you have over come them – be someone’s inspiration!
- Tell us your stories about the Run; have you been a member of a team, what does the event mean to you
- Tell us about how your community has come together to work towards creating a future without breast cancer
It’s easy to share your story. In 250 words or less write up your story, attach a digital photo that helps tell you story. Our editors will read each submission and publish the ones that reflect the message of Finding Hope. Go to this link to read through the submission guidelines and submit your story online: http://findinghope.cbcf.org.
My name is Marijke, and I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. I have had surgery, and am now awaiting treatment. Although I am quite hopeful, I can not give a story yet about Finding Hope. I feel very confused and bewildered. I have been told that the decision about my treatment is mine alone, although I will get advise from the oncologist. How can one choose from all the stories, articles, and well-intended advise from friends and family? For every pro there is a con. How do people deal with this?
Hi Marijke,
We are sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis and wish you all the best in your journey.
Navigating the breast cancer experience can be quite difficult. Especially with all the differing opinions, ideas and suggestions. Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada, http://www.willow.org,offers support services to those affected by breast cancer. They might be able to help clarify some of your questions.
We wish you all the best,
The Foundation
Hi Marijke,
I know exactly what you are going through. At 38 years old, I too was diagnosed in 2005. It was like everything came crashing down, after hearing the news. With 2 young children and a husband, I knew I had alot to live for. I chose to do whatever the doctors suggested. I did the 6months of chemo and 25 radiation treatements, then did a 1 year preventative treatment. I am happy to say that in December 2006, I was told I was cancer free. I can honestly say that I have never felt better. Somehow I look at life differently and live each day to the fullest. You have to do the same thing and be strong..you will get through this.
Jodi Crosby
Hello Marijke
First off allow me to say…
EVERY DAY IS A NEW DAY
Two and a half years ago my life pattern was changed when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I think I just instantly took control of the situation as I told myself I would not let it control me – my brain became my biggest tool!
I have had both breast removed(did not have recontructive surgery)-(my choice).I chose to have the ovaries removed rather than to take more drugs to shut off my ovaries from producing estrogen.Chemotherapy was suggested and I chose to do so.
I know that life is made of choices and I also know that having a good friend to help support you along the way also helps. A friend can read for you in your kit you recieve and help advise you of the choices you may face.I know too much reading sometimes alarmed me with more than I needed to know (I read only what stages I was about to face).
I poured my energy into sharing with others the cancer awareness – including interviews of Coping With Cancer as well as posting a video of one of my operations.You’ll also see a World Wide Cancer Awareness video created by a wonderful singer (Zack Bicknell -friend of mine) and myself – Joseph’s Lullaby on my website.
Please stay strong and most of all know…we can not change yesterday but we can contribute to the changes of tomorrow.We should ALL make the best of today – we should ALL LIVE, LOVE and enjoy as much as possible.
I hope you have the chance to view my website.
Hugz of health….Shay
Thank you all for listening! I feel I have stepped out of the quick sand and am back on solid ground. I did connect with a lady in my home town who has become my greatest supporter (went through it herself). Meanwhile I have given up on surfing the internet constantly, and am now waiting for my radiation treatments. I don’t require chemo, but will have to take anti hormone drugs.
Thank you all. I will connect to this site once in a while, and hope one day to be able to write an encouring note to someone who needs it.
Love you all.
Marijke
Hello Marijke! I may understand how you feel. I was diagnosed in February; had double mastectomy in March and full axillary dissection (left) in April 2008. I have one chemo to go (next week)!!! radiation will begin in October. Then hormone therapy will follow. how did I decide? I followed my doctors’ advice and followed my gut. I am 42 years old … I want to live! for me, for my boys, for my husband, for my family, for my friends. I hope that helps even a little.
* I will be participating in the Ottawa Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure.
thinking of you : )
Éva
Hi all, I am a friend of wonderful person I had the pleasure to meet this summer, her name is Barb. Barb has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is still living life to it’s fullest. My husband and 2 girls love Barb, b/c of who she is, who she stands for and her continuous zest for life, even though she knows she has breast cancer.
I remember one Sunday afternoon lying in bed with the flu, my oldest daughter who is 10, comes in and tells me with such enthusiam “Barb is here and wants you to see her bald head”, I rushed out of bed and went outside in our garage to see her… she was smiling per usual and proud as a peacock… after losing her hair from chemo.. then… I loved and admire her more. My children admire her, and now are more aware of breast cancer, and what courage she has shown them through thick and thin, so to speak.
If I have ever been blessed more with meeting such a great person, besides by husband and my two girls, it has been her. She touches us all, inspries us to be a better person, and makes us realize how great life is, even while living and battling breast cancer.
Hats off to Barb N. my friend, my hero, and my new found friend in the hood.
We love her so much and know she will fight this.
God Bless her and her will to push through this barrier she has been faced with.
Gwen Smith-Walsh and family
F’ton , NB
5 years ago I had breast cancer and after all the possible treatments I felt like a survivor !!!!
This year I am a real breast cancer survivor and it was my first Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. I was vvvery proud to walk and to be able to as an healthy woman to walk and I have decided to walk in memory of my personal’s trainer’s mom who died from breast cancer. I never knew that lady but her spirit was in me – and it was a really wonderful time, I could feel the power of us helping in all ways for that important cause!!!!
Next year I ll invite my family to come along with me!!! and its going to be even a better and stronger moment for me and all of us!!!!
thanks to all of you
with lots of love Orly
I just want to say that I participated in the Run for the Cure at the Kingston site this year. I was running in a white shirt for a friend of mine. Her name is Betty. I could not believe just how many people turned out for this Run. I found it totally inspiring. I plan on running again next year. The only thing different is that next year Betty will be running with me. We are going to put in a family team.
Sunday was a very emotional day for me. Last year, I could not participate in the walk or the run as I was too sick from chemo treatments. This year, I ran! I ran the 5km course with my sister who flew in from Toronto to support me. At the end of the run, I walked back and joined my team of 23 – our team name is Iviangitsiat, which means ‘beautiful breasts’ in Inuktitut. Those 23 beautiful people – one of whom has just finished chemo and radiation treatment – surrounded us with love and wonderful energy. I thank you all for what you have given us. I thank all the thousands of people who walked to support a cure for breast cancer.
Last Aug, 2008, just 3 weeks before my wedding, I underwent a left mastectomy. With a little stuffing and a whole lot of support from family and friends, our wedding on Sept 1st was a success! I returned back to Calgary to start chemo at the first of October. It was very stressful for my family being in NFLD while I was all the way out in Calgary. They felt very helpless.
I had participated in the Run for the Cure before to support friends who had survived cancer and to remember some who didn’t.
Because I could not do the Run that year my family in NFLD did it for me. As the youngest of 13 kids and one of 8 girls, I knew that there wasn’t much my big sisters wouldn’t do for me. So while I was here in Calgary starting chemo, my sisters did the Run for me. My heart was with them every step of the way just as I knew that theirs was with me every day of treatment.
Chemo finished, so did radiation, and before I knew it I was back to work and getting life back to normal. But this year I wanted my first year doing the Run as a survivor to be special. So Oct 3rd 2008, I flew back to the Rock and participated in the Run with my sisters and nieces. It was an important trip as they needed to see that I am doing well and I am a survivor! I think I literally bounced through the whole 5kms. So thank you to all my family (Doyle & Trepanier) and friends! I would not have made it to that day without you! Love you always….Mar
I thank those that do the run. I am contemplating on doing this year myself. I was diagnosed june of 2008, Had a mastectomy on sept 30 and feel fine, I am currently going though chemotherapy and have 2 more sessions left. I do not feel sick at all. However, I feel emotional drained trying to keep my family functional. And it does not help having a disfunctional daughter In law, who uses her child to get the best out of life. I fell like running away.
I can’t begin to imagine what you all feel, however my grand-mother was diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago and has since beat it. This was an incredibly difficult time, as I am very close to her.
There is a great website that I stumbled upon that you all should check out- painitpinkcanada.com is a site where anyone can post a picture of their “Pink Idea”. Whether it’s hosting a “pink” themed party or painting a room in your house pink, encourage your friends to log onto the site, vote for your photo and for every vote, Avon will donate 2$ to Breast Cancer research. I thought it was a great way to get everyone involved in the fight. It’s also very uplifting to see all these people come together with the same goal in mind.
Jane xx
Five years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my sister died long time ago with cancer and my grandmother too, but thanks God and all the Doctors at the juravinski cancer center I could overcome the hard time I was leaving, my two daughters my husband and I were panic but I never lost hope and faith in God .I hope all the people who are suffering at this moment do not lose faith. Every day is one day to give God thanks for being with the love ones and family who are around us.
I would like to thanks from the bottom of my heart the Doctor’s and nurses for the hard work they do.
I have been participating in the Run for the Cure for many years, and I have been racing dragon boats for quite some time as well, participating in Breast Cancer Fundraisers through that sport as well. A few years ago the doctor sent me to the Marvelle Koffler Breast Centre at Mount Sinai in Toronto, suspecting a mass on the right needed to be double checked… Ironically, it turned out to be scar tissue from an injury during a dragon boat race. Funnily enough, the first thought that came into my mind was “what breast cancer survivor team will I join?”… I was calm, not frightened, and thinking ahead to a survivor future. I have faith in the research and in the diagnostic process.
The entire experience brought the issue “closer to home”. Aunt Carol had passed away from Breast Cancer, and cancer itself runs rampant through the family. Suddenly the issue of bringing the Awareness factor to friends, acquaintances, and the general public, became more urgent. All the “trivia knowledge” about Breast Cancer became more important, and the need to turn it into common knowledge was pressing.
I still participate in the CIBC Run for The Cure. And I constantly post links on my facebook, for the fundraisers, and for the awareness campaign. Some people still don’t believe or understand that men can be diagnosed with it too.
I dream of a future of full awareness, and early detection; and I dream of a cure for those that find it in later stages. I pray for strength and peace of mind for those who are battling, and those that have survived.
I hope I never have to go through that again, but if I do, I know that I have the support of friends and family, and everyone in the campaign.
See some of you on October 4th, in Toronto!
I am a 37 year old wife and mother of a soon to be four year old son . I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of January 2009 . I did not know if my cancer had spread anywhere else until after my mastectomy at the end of February . Luckily I had caught it in time and even though it was aggressive ,it was contained to the breast .I had my last chemo on July 7th and every three weeks for the next year I get an infusion of Herceptin .I am also taking an oral chemotherapy every day .I am ready to run .I have never run before but I did a 5k on the treadmill last week ..45min of running and I cried and I laughed and if anyone saw me they would have though I was crazy . This is how it feels to be on top of the world . Looking down at the road I have travelled with so many . Goals are great . Set them and make them . Cake is good ..celebrate every part of the journey . Its good for you and its good for your family and friends . I am excited to run surrounded by people I love and who love me . They were my strength .