Finding Hope Blog – The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

I was not supposed to get breast cancer.  I thought I was doing everything right – ate properly, took vitamins, including vitamin D, maintained a healthy weight, exercised moderately and…part of my early physicial included a mammogram.  At 43 years of age and 7 months after my last mammogram, I found a lump!!

It’s now been a year since my lumpectomy and lympnode disection, 6 rounds of chemo (finished in March), 21 treatments of radiation and half way through herceptin.

Last year 2 of my sisters completed the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure but this year I’m joining them.  Although I’m still trying to find my new normal, I am excited…I am excited when I hear news stories on developments in breast cancer prevention and treatment and I know that Run for the Cure really does make a difference.

Cynthia Hollett
Newfoundland

In 2000 I attended my first Nanaimo Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure in a wheelchair; five months earlier, in May, I had been diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer.

I wondered how this could happen to me; these things only occurred in other people’s lives.  Acceptance was hard.

At the first trip to my surgeon’s office, my world went tumbling down.  I began planning my funeral; I had no idea what lay ahead.

Everyday life disappeared and my days were filled with blood tests, doctor appointments, chronic fatigue, hospital visits and many, many tears; then started the dreaded chemo.  After my first session, I thought “this is easy”.   But that soon changed.  It didn’t take long to start feeling like a pin cushion.  After two weeks of treatments, I was admitted to hospital with a severe infection.

At the same time, I lost my hair which was hard on my ego.  I still had six months of treatment to go.  

At one point, while hospitalized, I was wheeled down the hall for X-rays.  I saw myself reflected in a window and completely fell apart inside.   With no hair and grey coloring, I felt like a very, very old person and I thought:  “this is it”.

Another time, when I was hospitalized, there were no beds and I was taken to palliative care ward. Although I knew that was not why I was there, it gave me a very spooky feeling.

My cancer treatments went on for six months.  They were finally over in December of 2001.  But it took me well over a year before I could speak about what had occurred without crying.  Now you can’t shut me up. On October 5, I will run for a cure, because I know there is one.  I am living proof.  If it weren’t for breast cancer research, I wouldn’t be here today.

Queen’s rugby fought a different kind of battle on Sunday – instead of taking on their opponent on the playing field,  they put their efforts into raising over $20,000 in funds to support a future without breast cancer during the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run For the Cure event.

The Run is an annual occurrence for the rugby team, but this year they broke a record in raising the most of any other rugby squad before them.  The final tally was $21,431.17 which eclipsed last year’s total by approximately $4,000.  This year’s Run event saw 128 players take part with over 100 running the five-kilometres while injured players walked the one-kilometre distance.

Adrian Watson, a member of the rugby team and organizer of this year’s event was proud of his teammate’s efforts, but more importantly impressed by the level of giving by the entire Queen’s community.

“The best part is that the vast majority of funds were raised on campus from donations by Queen’s students,” said Watson.  “The guys took to the campus asking for donations anywhere they could.  From the cafeteria to the library, along with friends, roommates and housemates; our team did the leg work, but Queen’s as a whole deserves the credit.”

“It is a special feeling to know our campus together can make an impact,” continues Watson.  “We’re just happy to be a part of making a difference.”

Queen’s rugby has made this an annual event since 1999 and the team estimates that it has raised just over $100,000 towards the breast cancer cause since getting involved..

“It started because a family member of one of our players was affected by the disease,” states Head Coach Peter Huigenbos. “Our guys rallied around the cause and each year we continued to support it.  It’s become a major part of our season and something we are proud to be a part of.”

Queen’s rugby also received accolades following the event, capturing the McCain Friends and Family Team Challenge award for raising the most funds of any team within the Kingston region.

Luke is a three year old on a mission- to help create a future without breast cancer.  His two aunts are breast cancer survivors so even though he is still a tot the cause means something to him.  Luke made all his own pledge calls this year.

Follow this link (http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4e446b774e7a59344f4877354d4467314d7a51350d0a&sb=1)  to see Luke’s photo collage of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. 

It’s true what they say- when the Doctor walks into the office you can tell by the look on her face that the test results are not good and from that moment on you hear nothing but…”You have cancer, you have cancer”….. All I kept thinking was, I’m 44, my boys are too young, that’s just not fair!… Why me? 

So then the battle begins and a battle it is. Everyone’s cancer is different, everyone’s treatment plan is different but somehow we are all the same.  Same feelings, same emotional roller coaster, same bald head.  I remember riding the elevator and as  everyone gets on and off, I wonder why am I the only riding to the dreaded sixth floor, the chemo ward?  But you get there and realize you are not alone and somehow there is a sense of peace. 

It’s hard to explain but the chemo ward is where I am most comfortable. No one staring at my bald head and eyes with no lashes and my skin that had started to turn yellow. So after surgery, 8 rounds of chemo, having a port installed and 28 shots of radiation, I made it!  The hair on my body has started to return, my nails are growing back, the indigestion subsides and the feeling in my hands and feet returns….I’m still here. 

I learned many things about myself and my family and friends, I know who I can count on and how resilient we humans can be. When I was sick I thought I’d never be “normal” again. But it’s events like the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for a Cure and all the other walks/runs that the city organize that help me believe that there is always hope.  We should never give up, one day they will find a cure for cancer.

Debbie Shong