In January 2025, I went for a routine mammogram. I had no symptoms and felt perfectly fine. On February 3, 2025, I received the news that I had HER2-positive breast cancer. I was shocked.
The months that followed were nothing like the quiet retirement I had been enjoying. Suddenly, my days were filled with appointments, scans, MRIs, chemotherapy, surgery and eventually radiation.
After my first chemotherapy treatment, I became quite sick and went to the emergency department. When I was well enough to go home, I realized I needed something to take my mind off what I was going through. I had always enjoyed watercolour painting, and I started to paint the thoughtful get-well flowers I was receiving.
Painting quickly became like therapy for me. It allowed me to focus on something creative rather than on the reality of cancer treatment and all the side effects it can bring.
A new chapter in my cancer journey began the day I met a service dog. While being sick, seeing something so full of life lifted my spirits. Dogs seem to have an amazing way of knowing what you are feeling and going through.
The image of that dog stayed with me, so I decided to attempt painting him.
Being a self-taught painter, painting flowers came somewhat easily to me, but painting a black dog in watercolour was another challenge entirely. I was thrilled when others agreed that I had successfully captured his likeness.
Previously, I had been painting cards to thank friends and family who had supported me. Their encouraging feedback on my paintings gave me the idea that perhaps I could use my cards to give something back to the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre. I was also inspired after reading about two young girls who sold handmade dog bandanas to raise money for the Baker Centre for Pancreatic Cancer, in honour of their late grandmother.
My goal was to raise $2,000 through card sales and donations to a campaign called “Campbell’s Cards for Cancer.” I am thrilled to say that I have already surpassed that goal and my new one of $2,500. I am very thankful to everyone who donated or purchased a card.
I truly received the best care while undergoing treatment. My oncologist, Dr. Hamid Mithoowani, my radiation oncologist, Dr. Michael Lock, the nurses as well as the Wig Store team all treated me with compassion and kindness. I’ll be forever grateful.
Throughout this journey, my faith was a huge part of getting me through treatment. I am thankful for the many prayers that were said on my behalf. I was also blessed to be surrounded by incredible support. My family was always there for me, encouraging me to keep going. It was especially great to have my daughter, who is a nurse, come with me to appointments to help me understand the medical part of what was happening.
This past year taught me something important. When you are going through something as difficult as cancer, it helps to intentionally look for something good each day. Sometimes it may be something small, like an understanding smile from someone sitting beside you during treatment. Or it just might be seeing a service dog who inspires you to start thinking about how you can serve others as well.
I hope that by sharing my story, others are inspired to think of ways they can give back. There are many ways you can contribute. Small efforts add up and can make a huge difference.