Wearing my 'NO DAY BUT TODAY' shirt in honour of #Rally4Renee
On September 11, 2018 I walked onto the fourth floor at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre for my first day of chemo. And yesterday I walked onto that same floor, marking 6 years of ongoing treatment (targeted immunotherapy infusions).
I also saw my oncologist last week to go over my last set of scans. Scans that, since finishing chemo in March 2019, are still stable. NED (no evidence of disease) in fact!
And while these infusion days and clinic appointments have become pretty mundane, this time of year is always a bit triggering.
Not because we’re weeks away from Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But because it ends my string of initial cancerversary dates.
I don’t really know what specific event warrants the "CANCERVERSARY” title?
Is it the day I found out I had cancer (July 30 2018)? The day I found out I would need chemo (Aug 20 2018)? The day I found out it wasn’t stage I or II, but stage IV (Aug 31 2018)? The day I started chemo (Sept 11 2018)?
I just lump them all in together as a month and a half of blinding overwhelm, confusion, and feeling completely numb.
My 100th Infusion Day at PMH
While I don’t wish cancer on anyone. I especially don’t wish that first month or so, after first finding out, on anyone. That fear of the unknown has got to be THE WORST feeling in the world.
All the tests and scans — which are a full-time job.
Meeting your Oncologist for the first time to go over results, prognosis and treatment options.
Someone who 1 minute ago was a complete stranger, and is now essentially your lifeline.
Hearing words that you’ve never heard before. Trying to learn and make sense of it all so that you feel like you’re making an informed decision.
The amount of knowledge I have (begrudgingly) gained over the last 6 years about a topic I wish I didn’t have to know anything about is FKN WILD!!!
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
About the only good thing cancer has brought into my life, are the people I have met within the community.
Kelly (aka @fightslikeagirl), who I met in the wig/beanie shop at PMH, while having a complete melt down, a week before starting treatment – who coincidentally lived just 5 minutes away from me, and became a very good friend + walking buddy while I was going through chemo. I’m so beyond grateful that the universe had her in that shop, at that very moment. I think my initiation into this world would have been very different and lonely had I not had that friendship.
The people I sit beside on the chemo floor every 3 weeks when I go in for treatment. Some who I chat with (like the man I met yesterday who has had 3 different cancer diagnosis’ and has been going to PMH for treatment for 18 years!!). And others who I simply exchange a warm smile and knowing nod with.
The people I have met at cancer events, or when taking part in fundraisers, and even through my Instagram page, who have become genuine friends.
The people who REALLY GET IT!
6 years though!!!
I beat the (in my opinion, old and out-dated) statistics on the life expectancy of someone diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer.
But I know far too many weren’t allowed that privilege … because #STAGEIVNEEDSMORE !!!
Far too many who weren’t able to access life saving drugs for a slew of reasons. Not one of which is acceptable.
It wasn’t available where they lived. Either because of where they lived (too remote). Or because their gov’t said the drug was too expensive to approve. Or because trials hadn’t started yet, even though they had reached completion and approval in other countries.
Or it wasn’t deemed a life saving drug by their insurance company, regardless of letters from medical oncologists stating otherwise. And therefore wasn’t covered, and wasn’t affordable.
The list goes on and on.
And what I’m sure many don’t know, is that this is happening far too often – even in Canada.
It’s infuriating. It’s terrifying. It’s heartbreaking. And it’s unacceptable.
Thankfully we have organizations like RETHINK Breast Cancer who have stepped up to advocate for equal drug access Canada wide, with their BREAK THROUGH THE BULLSH*T and #BITTERESTPILL campaigns.
And we have fundraisers like TURNING THE PAGE ON CANCER, where the sole purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness and funds for Metastatic Breast Cancer – in addition to a day of self-care for the annual Read-A-Thon on October 27th.
A fundraiser that I’ve taken part in for 5 years in a row now. And the only exception this year is that I’ve teamed up with my girl, and fellow cancer card holder and tattoo twinsie, Kate (aka @lump_into_lemonade)!
Kate & I at Rethink's Break Through the BS event
So I’m going to close this post off with a favor to ask …
I know that the economy is crap right now. And that most of us are really pinching pennies. But this is such an important cause. A worthwhile and LIFE SAVING cause! And any donation (big or small) really does make a difference.
All funds raised will go directly to RETHINK Breast Cancer’s MBC fund which is an ongoing and targeted initiative to fund support for and research in metastatic breast cancer.
SO PLEASE DONATE WHAT YOU CAN, IF YOU CAN.
And if you could share our fundraising page on your socials, that would be swell! :)
Thanks in advance! And I hope everyone's enjoying the cooler weather. I'm sure many of you aren't too pleased about it. But as someone in chemically induced menopause (can you say #HotFlashes), I say BRING IT ON!
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