As some of you know and some of you may not, in October 2022 I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer.  This is a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer.  As you can imagine, this was a shocking and distressing diagnosis for myself and my family.  The treatment team in Owen Sound acted quickly and by mid November I had started chemotherapy and immunotherapy which is a treatment specific to triple negative.  I generally tolerated the chemo pretty well, until I didn't.  In January 2023, I was experiencing an increasing struggle to breathe, even when resting.  A trip to the ER and many tests indicated that I was having a reaction to the immunotherapy drug.  

This was actually the scariest part for me.  The breast cancer diagnosis itself was something I was determined to beat and I never doubted that.  So  struggling to breathe and fearing the possibility of permanent lung damage was scarier.  One of the things that had been helping me get through the chemo was imagining a full recovery and a picture of me running again, long pony tail in the wind.  To think that might not happen was hard and it took a lot of mental strength to stay positive and hopeful.  I continued with the chemo without the immunotherapy and took Prednisone to help my lungs.  I had my last chemo on March 31, 2023, then a double mastectomy in May and radiation in July.  By the fall I had weened off of the Prednisone, treatment finished and CANCER FREE.  

All that treatment had taken it's toll on me however, I was tired, weak and not myself, but again, I was determined.  I began the next step  in my cancer journey, that of recovery.  I began walking regularly, going to physio, going to aquafit and gradually running again.  I ran my first 5 km race in April this year.  It was hard but I did it and I'm continuing to run and bike.  I'm getting stronger and getting my stride more and more.  I'm beginning to feel more like myself.  I've set goals for myself and and am on my way to accomplishing them.  I am participating in other races, including a mini duathlon, but this race, this is the most important to me.  I don't post a lot on social media and I never like to ask for money.  Even as a kid I hated selling girl guide cookies. As an introvert it's a big step outside of my comfort zone but I am running in this year’s Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure.  I am running to celebrate being cancer free, to celebrate my recovery to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research and to support others who are, or will be, going through what I did.

 

With your help, I can reach my fundraising goal and make a life-changing difference for so many people. Every dollar I raise will fund groundbreaking breast cancer research and support programs and services for those impacted by this disease. 

 

Please donate today. I believe better treatment options and survival outcomes are possible. Together, we can give Canadians impacted by breast cancer a reason to have hope. And we can help change the future for all. 

 

Thank you! I appreciate your generous support.