Nothing Speaks Like Experience…. One Patient’s Story

By Tracy Tarnowski I was going to get the results today. The waiting would be over. It was August 2, 2006. My husband, Mike, and I headed into the city to meet with our family doctor. (I will refer to her as Dr. Family.) She took us into her office right away and the three of us sat down. The first thing she said was that she was glad that we were both there. It

By Benoit Bisson In life, there are moments that had a profound impact on me, such as the birth of my children, birthdays of loved ones, and deaths. To this list, I would have to add the 2nd of June 2006; the day I learned I had kidney cancer. The news was all the more shocking to me as I had been experiencing no symptoms. In fact, the only reason I had gone for testing

The call from my doctor finally comes. “Jackie,” he says, “I have bad news and I have good news. The bad news? You have breast cancer. The good news? It’s the best kind: DCIS ductal carcinoma in situ. I’ve referred you to the Women’s Breast Health Centre at The Ottawa Hospital.” In those few seconds, I’m on the road to becoming a cancer statistic! Actually, the first step began during a regular mammogram a week

by  Tom Gentles My family doctor had been checking my PSA during annual visits. In June of 1997 he told me what PSA meant, and that mine had been rising over the years. He said that mine was now at a reading of six, and that I should have a biopsy. The biopsy was positive for cancer. The urologist told me that I should have an operation or radiation. At that time, I was 71

Nicolas was a young boy who lived his life with gusto, bravery and a full ability to express his eccentric sides. Nicolas never took no for an answer – he asked the ‘big’ questions, he made others face their complacency. He was an old soul. He was the proud big brother of Isabella, the one who watched out for his little brother Sasha and the one who gave his big sister Sophie a run for

by Femma Norton My first brush with cancer patient advocacy was 42 years ago, long before the advent of computer and internet literacy with its wealth of information. My father had just been diagnosed with a brain tumour, a condition that was as foreign to us as something that had come from outer space. Very little was known about the disease but what was certain was that the prognosis was dire. At some point into

I could be seen as unlucky: I am a former cancer patient, suffer two other chronic diseases and am getting older. However, I live in a large Canadian city. This means that, should I ever have need, I have good access to palliative, hospice and caregiver services. I have a good family doctor. I have the time, money and literacy to understand and access all treatment options available to me. I do not worry about

by Perry Monaco My entire world changed on August 9th, 2009. My first and only child, Grace Stephanie, was born to my wife, Christy and me in Oshawa, Ontario. We were married for a mere thirteen months but had dreamed about this day for our entire lives. She was perfect and healthy. We couldn’t ask for anything more. What we didn’t know at the time, however, was that I was sick. While taking a shower

After 20 years since my last diagnosis, it came as a surprise to hear the surgeon say, “I’m going to be blunt. Your biopsy is positive for melanoma.” Thus began a two-year story of fear, learning, and coming to terms with mortality. Twenty years ago my wife and I had just brought two wonderful boys into the world, bought our first home, and were settling into a new life when I noticed a funny looking

by Michael They say that 1 out of 4 Canadians will develop cancer within their lifetime. But I have lost more than that. In 1984 my mom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. When the doctors told her she had between 2 to 3 weeks to live, she decided they were wrong, and that she would dance at my wedding. I got married 4 years later and I not only danced with my Mom at my

by Rosalind Bell They say that it takes a village to raise a child, and when I think back on how my life has changed since my diagnosis of breast cancer, I believe that the same could be said for helping someone through the journey of diagnosis, treatment and life afterwards.  The value of a community of people who have had cancer to help those newly diagnosed and going through treatment cannot be over-emphasized.  We

 by Archie McCulloch I am a strong believer in the value of the early detection of cancer.  Here’s why.  My father was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the age of 53, and died two years later.  I was diagnosed with the same cancer at age 56, and underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.  These combined treatments were obviously successful as here I am, fourteen years later.  For this I am immensely grateful. If regular colorectal