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Honoured Patients
Our 2012 Honoured Heroes
Brennan Curry
I had always been actively involved in sports, especially in the two months before I turned 16. I played hockey and basketball in the winter and baseball in the summer. I had even been going to the gym on a regular basis and loved to play a pick-up game of football with my friends. I was easily in the best shape of my life and I felt invincible.
Unfortunately things changed dramatically in May 2010. Suddenly, I began experiencing endless stomach pain. I thought it was just the stomach flu. For the next five months, I had stomach pain and flu-like symptoms non-stop. In the midst of this I lost 40 pounds. Due to these symptoms, doctor's thought I had Crohn's disease (chronic inflammation in the bowel).
After months of medication and treatment for Crohn's were unsuccessful, I had no other options but surgery. A couple days after my surgery it was found that I didn?t have Crohn's but cancer. I was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma in early October. Doctor's believed the fast spreading cancer was slowed down by some of the medication I was taking for Crohn's.
Over the next three months, and less than two weeks after my surgery, I began my five rounds of chemotherapy. Although I did not enjoy living in a hospital room from October to December, the staff at the IWK took excellent care of me. Every nurse, doctor, volunteer and everyone else I was in contact with was friendly and kind to me. Having people like this around really goes a long way when battling cancer.
I am currently in remission and back in good shape. My experience with cancer really opened my eyes to how important it is to take good care of your body. After I finish high school this year I wish to go on to study Kinesiology in the fall. I want to pursue a career in physiotherapy to help people repair their bodies.
It's an exciting opportunity for me to be an Honoured Hero because it gives me a chance to help increase funding for cancer research. I really hope to make an impact on improving the understanding of blood cancers.
Pam McKay
My journey with lymphoma began in 2005, when I received a phone call informing me my mammogram results had shown an enlarged node in my right axilla. After a CT scan and biopsy I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, which was shocking for a healthy, active person such as myself.
We were happy to learn that a "watch and wait" approach would be taken. This was very confusing to those who weren?t familiar with Non- Hodgkin's Lymphoma. They couldn't understand why the doctors weren't doing anything to treat me. After four and half years, in the fall of 2009, the nodes had enlarged to the point that treatment was now necessary, and my journey into the world of chemotherapy began.
My introduction to chemo gave me something positive, the amazing people found in the medical day unit and hematology department at the QEII. My body and the tumors responded very well and after eight treatments great news followed. Celebrations were in order as I finished chemo and my youngest daughter graduated from high school! Unfortunately less than a year later, we were heading back into treatment.
My second round of chemo began in September 2011, and along came Light The Night. I was delighted to find an event and awareness campaign that gives direct results for research into my type of cancer. We quickly spread the word to all our friends and family. Within a short period of time our team was formed, growing and bringing in an amazing amount of money. We were the fifth place team in total funds for the event!
The night of the walk was amazing and very emotional for me. I was there and feeling well. To have all of my supporters there and to discover the total amount raised gave me such an incredible feeling. It was a very moving personal experience to think that I had made a difference and helped in future research, not only for myself but also for those who follow.
I'm honored to represent Light The Night and hope that I can help illuminate the growing number of people that are being affected by these diseases. Hopefully we can continue to raise funds for research into helping all of us who are living with blood cancers. Information and education concerning Lymphoma is very important, as it is for all cancers. It?s a shame they carry the dreaded "C" word at all.
