Marie-Andrée

When was your original diagnosis?
My original diagnosis was in 1999 - I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiotherapy then and returned to work in January 2000.

When did the cancer return and how?
I found out the cancer had returned (a new tumor in the same breast) in August 2007. I had my yearly mammogram (very important) and from there it was pretty clear something was not right. The good news is there are no signs of metastasis anywhere. I had a masectomy and chemo between September 2007 and April 2008. I am now waiting for surgery to remove my ovaries; I am going through genetic testing (I might go for a prophylactic mastectomy once I have the results).

How did having the cancer return affect you? (Mentally, physically, emotionally)
At first, it was the proverbial hit in the stomach. I was totally panicked but a wise soul (you,Chris) told me that I would rise up to face the music. And I did. It has been really tough but has also had its glorious moments.

Mentally (and physically): Somedays, I feel a bit broken because that second round of chemo and the Femara (hormonal drug) have given me aches and pains I did not have before. I hope these will settle down as time goes on. I had a wonderful summer vacation and I enjoy so much the people around me...it is all about friends and family. I am blessed with an optimistic personality and that has been handy...Intellectually: multitasking is out. I can't tackle a lot at once. Which is quite likely a good thing.

What changes have you made in your life since the cancer returned, if any?
I have slowed down a lot. The thing I absolutely love is not being in a hurry. I purposely walk and drive slowly and I don't wait until I have 54 errands to run to go out. I love not having to run through the grocery store at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday nights!!! If one day I don't "accomplish" much, well it is just fine. I love being at home so I am not sure when I will go back to work.

I have started reading a lot again. When I am in a book, my husband and son know that my ears do not work anymore. I was like that as a teenager...

Since early September, I have started exercising regularly. BCA offers a wide rage of fitness classes and soon will offer yoga. I go to the morning sessions at the Rideau Tennis Club 2-3 mornings a week. I have started Saturday morning nordic walking (and breakfast) again and I walk my dog Tina as many afternoons as possible with a good friend. So fitness and eating well is what I will do for a living this Fall - and forever. I hope to be well enough to paddle next year.

Where do you draw your strength from? How do you look at life today?
My strength is my small and big families: my husband and 12 year old son; my parents, brother, sister, niece and nephew; my parents in-law and my brother and sister-in-law who live close-by and have kept us going, cooked for us...Another huge part of my support network has been my colleagues - this is an absolutely amazing story: once we found out that I was going to go through chemo again (last Fall), about 50 of my colleagues got together and created my very own Fan Club. They divided themselves into 6 groups (for 6 cycles of chemo) and before every treatment sent care packages full of food, books music, chocolate, knitted shawls, hats., etc. My husband often had to go back to the car two or three times to bring in the boxes of stuff.....if was amazing, overwhelming and one of the most wonderful compliment I have ever had.The neighbours, hockey parents, my son's friends and their parents, my old friends from school - all have been my strengh. Every card, letter, e-mail, gift arrived exactly when I needed it. As if there was a cosmic dispatcher who was coordinating all of this...The Dragon Boat team has also been a great source of inspiration because of my teammates courage, tenacity, sense of humour and kindness, I turned to some of them in the few days after finding out I had another battle on my hands - they know. I wore my team shirt to every treatment - I had 60+ women paddling with me throughout...How do I look at life today? Some days with fear but most days with hope and a very deliberate attempt at making every moment count big time. Watching our son grow and play and become a fine young man is what I want to keep on doing for a very long time.

Anything else to add?
Thanks Chris for your fantastic blog...I truly admire your courage, openness and generosity.