Dana is a seven-year breast cancer survivor and shares her advice to those who have been affected by breast cancer.
In December 2003, I turned 40 years old. Wonderful friends and family surprised me with a great party, and life was good … I was excited to head into the next stage of my life.
In February 2004, as I sat watching TV one day, my right breast started to feel some pain. As I felt the area, I discovered a lump and thought, oh, oh, that should not be there… Knowing that time was of the essence I called the doctor the next day, and I was in for the check up, off to the ultrasound, biopsy, and back to her with the diagnosis of breast cancer (it was a frantic couple of weeks). I realized at that time that my life was not going to start at 40; that would have to wait. I now had to take the adventure of a lifetime.
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Lucie says she was very proud to wear her Survivor t-shirt at this year's Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure.
My experience with breast cancer started in November 2000 when my mother-in-law announced that she had breast cancer. I cried and cried; I was nine months pregnant with my son, Jackson. In the summer of 2001 I participated in the “Weekend to End Breast Cancer” in honour of my mother-in-law. I never imagined that I would also be afflicted with the disease one day.
The spring of 2003 is when “IT” happened! I found a lump in my left breast. After a mammogram, an ultrasound and a biopsy I was diagnosed with a benign tumour — phew! What a scare that was. I thought I was free and clear, but then “IT” happened again. In December 2010, I found another lump in the same breast. In January 2011, my husband Mark and I sat in the doctor’s office nervously waiting for the news. I’ll never forget her words: “You have breast cancer.” Mark and I cried.
Since February 2011, I’ve had surgery, chemo and am currently undergoing radiation treatments. It’s tough but it’s necessary. Every time I look at my son I know I have no choice but to do everything possible to survive. My cancer was caught early, thank God. However, it is a very aggressive cancer; the most aggressive breast cancer you can have.
I participated in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure on Oct. 2, 2011 with my sister, friends and colleagues. I was very proud to wear a “Survivor” t-shirt. I caught it early and I SURVIVED!
Most sincerely,
Lucie Dunbar
Meagan with her parents at the 2009 Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure in Mississauga, Ontario.
The cancer patient isn’t the only one battling the war. It takes the whole family’s strength and heart to win the fight. My name is Meagan, I am 17 years old, and my whole high school experience has revolved around the “C word.” I’ve experienced myself holding onto my chest a number of times, but it wasn’t as if I were holding onto a massive tumour like him or her. I was grasping my heart, hoping that the pressure from my hand would stop the hurt, just as it would on a stinging wound. If I were to look at myself from a distance, I would see the same girl who felt all of these emotions and watch her hide them behind her eyes. But if you were to take a closer look, you’d see the same girl in a different light — her lips staying tense and her hands clenched as if she were going to punch a wall at any second. That girl was not me. But these things only made me stronger.
Three years ago, when I was in Grade 10, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. That moment hit me like a ton of bricks because I had luckily never witnessed anyone in my family having cancer until that point. I remember every day of that journey, from going to the hair shop to shave it off (I was the one who cried first), to the six surgeries and then to the long nights of chemotherapy. My brothers and I would sit in the dark with her as she would just lie there sleeping, so lifeless. It was horrifying. I always considered my mother my best friend and we have a relationship like no other. When she got a mastectomy and rang the bell at Credit Valley Hospital, I had the biggest smile on my face that I’ve had in my entire life. It was finally over, and time for my family’s new beginning.
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Molly with her niece.
This year I participated in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure because I have been personally affected by breast cancer.
On Oct. 2, 2010 I found a lump in my right breast. It was by absolute fluke. I had a simple itch and scratched something that did not feel right. This is when things changed. Quickly. I booked an appointment to see my GP who felt that this was nothing but a cyst, but got me booked for an ultrasound to be sure. The ultrasound results came back in about two days, stating that a “suspicious” malignant lump was found. I was then booked right away for a biopsy. This was scary, painful and the beginning of quite a journey. The waiting period was the worst. I would jump at each ring of the phone. Just over a week later the call came in while I was at work, asking for me to come to my GP’s office. I lost it. Totally broke down. I made my way to the office with my amazing sister, Megg. I walked in circles around and around while my doctor told us that it was indeed cancer. I barely remember that day, yet it is forever etched in my mind. I cried and cried and cried while the doctor explained things that I simply could not and did not want to hear. Thank God for Megg who was able to take it all in. From here, I met with a surgeon, went for an MRI and mammogram and then more waiting… The waiting during this time was just torture. Not knowing if I was going to lose my entire breast or not. Coming to grips that I did indeed have cancer. The surgeon told me that they found something “suspicious” in the same breast that needed a biopsy. More waiting. We learned that the other lump was not cancer but did need to come out. I was told I would have two lumpectomies. This was my happiest moment since Oct. 2.
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« Chaque rayon de soleil, chaque goutte de pluie, chaque brise, chaque … est un cadeau. »
MIRABEL, ANNÉE(S) ROSE(S),
Tout doucement, sournoisement, sans faire de bruit, il y a maintenant 11 ans, il est arrivé dans ma vie. Je ne lui ai pas ouvert les bras ni mon cœur et il a tout pris. Son côté virulent et son grade avancé ont envahi une partie de moi. Il est bien malgré moi devenu mon compagnon fidèle sur une route sinueuse et durant longtemps ses pas se sont joint aux miens pour avancer. À cause de lui, je suis tombée à plusieurs reprises, mais grâce à moi, je me suis relevée à chaque fois. Depuis les toutes dernières chirurgies en Août 2010, ma vie a repris tout son sens et lui a repris une autre route.
J’ai eu le grand privilège d’avoir à mes côtés, un autre compagnon, celui du courage, et c’est avec lui que j’ai continué ma route. Une belle équipe autour de moi s’est formée, celle du positivisme, de la joie de vivre et de l’amour de la vie. Malgré les larmes et les doutes qui se présentaient et qui se présentent encore, mon cœur et mon âme se sont réunis pour continuer ma Mission de vie. Je suis devenue une C.A.P.T., une combattante à plein temps.
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