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Top 10 profiles for 2019

Inspired by the end of year recaps we’ve been seeing all over the internet, we compiled the 10 most-read survivor and supporter profiles on our site this year.

 

Sarah Kikuchi of Halifax, NS was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in 2018 at the age of 27.

“I so wish I had appreciated my body and appearance more before all of this. Now that I have lost my hair, gained weight, lost muscle, and am often swollen and puffy (unrecognizable, really) from steroids I don’t feel like myself at all. This is part of the reason I have started exercising. I can’t wait to get back to how I looked and felt before. Body image and appearance might be the hardest part of all this for me.” (Read more)

 

Josh Lamothe of Edmonton, AB is a supporter for his wife, Mandy, who was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in 2014.

“I also had to overcome the occasional feeling that I was being selfish for thinking at times about how her cancer affected me. It took me some time to realize that mental self-care would make me a better supporter during and after Mandy’s treatments.” (Read more)

 

Paige Panetta of Waterloo, ON was diagnosed with uveal melanoma in 2017 at the age of 27.

“I had no idea I was sick. I had zero symptoms when I found out I had cancer. I had been for an eye exam in April 2017 and was told my eyes looked perfect and that I had perfect vision. In May 2017, I scratched one of my eyes while I was traveling and ended up at a new optometrist who found my tumor.” (Read more)

 

Andrea Whittle of Winnipeg, MB was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 at the age of 30.

“Since November 3, 2015, life has been ever-changing. I am a single mother of a nine-year-old. I’m unable to work because of post-surgery complications, debilitating treatment side effects, and mental health issues. I look like I’m under 30, yet internally I am over 70-years-old and struggling to cope or to see a brighter future for myself and son.” (Read more)

 

Alyssa Dickey of Toronto, ON was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2010 at the age of 32.

“I think the hardest part about having cancer was losing my job after working so hard to earn my university degree at night school. Also I feel like I missed out on the opportunity to do stuff like travel. Now I wonder how long I have and what I should do while I’m feeling good from my transplant.” (Read more)

 

Jennifer Ryan of Paradise, NL was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in 2017 at the age of 32.

“The toughest part would have to be the feeling of isolation. Although I had a ton of support from family and friends, it is hard to explain how I still felt very much alone. I didn’t know any other young adults with cancer and that was scary.” (Read more)

 

Sarah Hunt of Cambridge, ON was diagnosed with myxoid liposarcoma in 2017 the day before her 30th birthday.

“My life is very different post diagnosis. I am someone living with chronic cancer, and as much as I try to move forward, I have constant reminders. I have been left with a physical disability from the radiation and limb sparing surgery. I can no longer lift my arm above my shoulder, I have constant pain in my arm, and lack motor control in parts of my hand. I also deal with swelling in my arm caused by lymphedema. It makes me have to plan ahead for many things I took for granted when I had two working hands and arms. It has also pushed me to train harder in bootcamp to show others wrong. I can do things, I just do them differently.” (Read more)

 

Jag Takhar of Brampton, ON was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in 2017 at the age of 37.

“It’s your body, listen to it, and if your healthcare team isn’t listening to you, switch. Stay positive, be happy and live in every moment; life is so precious.” (Read more)

 

Julie Michaud of Halifax, NS was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 at the age of 29 and again in 2015 at the age of 34.

“Our third child was born on a Wednesday morning. On Thursday, a CT scan and bone scan revealed that I had a tumour taking over my ribs and a smaller tumour in my right lung.” (Read more)

 

Tori Zimmerman of Edmonton, AB was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2017 at the age of 23.

“I was heartbroken when I was told I’d never have children if I do survive. Not only was having children taken away from me, but it was taken away from my husband, Jacob.” (Read more)

 

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