I found a lump one night in my left breast. It only felt about the size of a pea but I never noticed it before so I made an appointment with my family doctor. My family doctor made an appointment with a surgeon who told me it was cists. He took me into the hospital to drain it but nothing came out so he told me it must have disbursed. I followed up with him a month later and again a few times after that and he said it was fine so I wait. The lump was getting bigger. After 6 months I went back to my family doctor again and he immediately made me an appointment with another surgeon at Sunnybrook to have a biopsy.

Cancer...I think I already knew. The hardest part was to go home and tell my two boys, Richard 16 and Keven 11 (at that time) that I had Breast Cancer. They were terrified that I was going to die. I remember going for a walk that night and cried the whole 5 km, saying I was not leaving my boys. Then telling my two adult daughters, Lea with my newborn grandson and my Mandie who lives in New Zealand. Then my brother Ted who I am very close to. It was about 10:00 pm when my husband called him. We were in bed that night when someone was at the door. Ted had to see me. We spent hours talking and crying.

Next I had to wait for a date for surgery. I did alot of travelling with my job and was in Montreal when I received a message to call Sunnybrook. Surgery was booked 2 days later. The tumor was 7 cm, and had spread. I did 6 months aggressive chemo and then 5 weeks of radiation.

I am a survivor and I am so thankful every day...I have a different outlook on life now. I am happy and enjoy every day.