Patient Stories Archives - Page 3 of 3 - CancerCare Manitoba Foundation

Your commitment gave Allan access to an innovative new treatment

Newly introduced single fraction radiation therapy treatments have given Allan more tomorrows to live his life to the fullest.

Allan, a spry gentleman in his 80s has a physical twice a year to ensure he is in his best health. Following one of these physicals, Allan’s primary care physician discovered a spot on his lung. In July of 2021, the spot was confirmed to be a tumour. “My doctor told me I had cancer. What a terrible word,” said Allan. “He laid out my treatment plan: surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.”

Allan had recently experienced the highs and lows of a cancer journey while his wife was being treated for lung cancer just a couple of years prior to his own diagnosis. Allan mentally prepared himself for a similar treatment regime – many rounds of radiation and chemotherapy. “I drove her to CancerCare every day for 30 days to get her radiation treatment.”

Allan with his oncologist, Dr. Bashir.

Thanks to your support of local research, Allan qualified to receive a new form of radiation therapy that effectively treated his cancer in just two appointments. “I had just one zap of radiation and then I was done. I couldn’t believe it! I had never heard of that before.”

The pandemic challenged CancerCare Manitoba to establish new ways of delivering radiation therapy while protecting patients from increased risk due to COVID-19. This, and the success of other donor supported lung cancer treatments, led to the development and use of single fraction radiation therapy. The treatment offers some patients the opportunity to reduce their in-person visits and requires only two appointments. Allan was one of the first patients in Manitoba to receive this innovative new treatment which has now become the standard of care for eligible lung cancer patients in our province.

Allan was amazed after his second appointment when he was told he didn’t need to come back. “My doctor was absolutely incredible. To be one of the first facilities in Canada to offer this type of treatment is just amazing. It’s amazing that donors played a role in making this possible.”

Allan is now in remission. His last three scans have shown the treatment was successful and his tumour is no longer visible. Allan spends his days walking his dog, playing golf and travelling. “Every day is a bonus.”

Your commitment to advancing cancer care helps ensure that more discoveries and better ways to treat patients are just around the corner. Your support helps improve patient experiences for your loved ones, friends and neighbours, and all Manitobans affected by cancer.

Your support of cancer prevention and screening will change lives.

Thanks to the generosity of people just like you, Manitobans have access to a variety of cancer screening and educational programs critical to early detection and important to the successful treatment of many cancers.

These educational campaigns have helped many Manitobans become more aware of the ease and importance of self-screening. Lorraine is one of those Manitobans and she hopes by sharing her personal story you will be inspired to consider a gift today to ensure prevention and screening initiatives remain available to Manitobans across our province.

On her 50th birthday Lorraine made an agreement with her best friend that they would do breast self-checks
every full moon – 13 times per year on top of the recommended mammogram every two years. It was this commitment to her friend and to her own health that led Lorraine to notice something wasn’t right.

During one of Lorraine’s regular ‘full moon’ checks in the fall of 2021 she noticed a lump. It was a discovery that would save her life.

“When I found the lump, I just knew. Because I had been checking regularly I noticed the difference immediately. If I hadn’t stayed committed to regular checks, I might not have noticed it.”

As a result of this regular self-examination Lorraine was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. Over the next year Lorraine underwent an extensive treatment plan that took a toll on her physical and mental health: 20 rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, and three weeks of radiation therapy.

Over the course of this challenging year Lorraine developed a personal connection with her CancerCare Manitoba team as they guided her through her treatments. “Going there for my appointments, I felt so cared for and never alone. After my treatments stopped, I found it hard because I was so used to going there every day.”

Lorraine is now cancer free and while she is extremely grateful, she has had some difficulty trying to process the fact that one day she had cancer – and the next day she didn’t. Thanks to donors, Manitobans like Lorraine can access support programs to help them move forward after their cancer.

It was through CancerCare Manitoba’s donor-funded patient and family resources team that Lorraine was put in touch with an Indigenous elder, something she is extremely thankful for. Lorraine was able to reconnect to her inner self, continue building meaningful connections with the Indigenous community, rekindle her purpose in life and heal both mentally and physically.

The fear of her cancer returning is very real.

Triple negative cancers have a high chance of recurrence, though it is something Lorraine tries hard not to focus on. Instead, today she is focused on living well and appreciating everything she has in life.

“Cancer has changed my outlook on life. You have to live in the moment. Staying positive is so important to healing, recovery and moving forward after cancer.”

Lorraine’s story demonstrates how screening initiatives, including self-screening, are vital when it comes early-detection and ultimately saving the lives of Manitobans.

Support cancer screening and prevention initiatives today.

Your generosity will help others potentially detect their cancers early, giving them the best chance at successful treatment.

That was the question our nine-year-old son Cain asked the doctor on the worst day of our lives.

Cain is the most courageous person we know. Even in the midst of chemotherapy and painful limb-salvage surgery, he never lost his spirit or gave up hope. We are so proud of him.

Without the support of donors, Cain wouldn’t have received his life-saving surgery in Manitoba.
It’s through the generosity of donors just like you that cancer surgeon Dr. David Perrin was recruited to CancerCare Manitoba. Before Dr. Perrin’s arrival all patients requiring surgery for bone cancers had to be referred out of province.

Cain received treatment closer-to-home, which has been important to his ongoing recovery. When his brother and sister were able to visit him in the hospital there was something truly magical about the healing power of kids playing together.

This benefitted all of us as a family.

As someone who cares for the welfare of others, we hope Cain’s courage inspires you to make a gift this holiday season.

Less than one year ago our lives were changed forever when Cain was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer. Before that he was a healthy, active kid who loved running around outside with his younger brother and sister. We never imagined one of our children would get a cancer diagnosis.

In the summer of 2021 Cain slipped on some rocks and banged his shin bone badly. Then, over the Christmas holidays, he began walking differently. When we looked at his leg, we saw the bruising on his shin had returned.

At the Minnedosa hospital on New Year’s Eve Cain underwent a leg x-ray, and upon seeing the results, the doctor immediately scheduled an MRI at CancerCare in Winnipeg the next day. This is when we understood that this wasn’t just a leg injury.

Our worst fears were confirmed. The MRI revealed a large tumour in Cain’s right tibia. Once we received the official osteosarcoma cancer diagnosis Cain’s battle with cancer began.

Sitting in the doctor’s office in shock, it was Cain who started courageously asking the questions we wanted to, but couldn’t…

“Will I need surgery?”, “What are the chances of my survival?” and “Will I lose my leg?”.

It was important to us that Cain consent to his treatment. We had taught him the concept of “my body, my choice,” and initially he was scared about his options, including possible leg amputation. Thankfully donors like you have funded counselling services that helped Cain understand and agree to all his treatment options.

Within a week, Cain began his chemotherapy which was so intense that he often required hospitalization. We have had too many stays at the hospital this year. He’s away from home and his siblings during these times and it’s hard for him. It’s hard for all of us.

By donating today, your gift will help researchers discover alternative ways to treat bone cancers.

By becoming a monthly donor—a Champion of Discovery—you can ensure your gifts are directed to support research. Research Cain desperately needs since his type of cancer can reoccur, though it is not something we dwell on… at least we try not to.

And if Cain’s cancer does return one day, chemotherapy may no longer be a treatment option for him because his body has had as much as it can handle. We hope you will consider joining as a Champion of Discovery this holiday season.

Throughout his journey with cancer, Cain has fortunately been distracted from the pain by building Lego and making crafts. He’ll spend hours immersed in creating homes and towns for his ‘pompom critters’. It’s truly amazing to see his imagination come to life, allowing him to temporarily forget about the treatment he’s enduring.

Even though he was only eight years old at the time, Cain required strong medication to help control the intense pain. Mid-way through his rounds of chemotherapy Cain underwent a complex operation to remove the cancerous tumour and his tibia. What followed was a grueling two-week hospital stay. And then Cain’s 16-hour second surgery to replace and reconstruct his tibia took hours longer than expected. We were scared but reassured that everything was going according to plan. That it was just taking longer than expected.

Though Cain is slowly making progress, he still has a long way to go.

Cain is no longer confined to a wheelchair and is moving around more using his walker. He can now put a little bit of weight on his right leg and even bend it to 60 degrees. He really wants to get it to 80, and given how courageous and determined he is, we know he will get there.

Cain wanted to share his story with you today in hopes it will inspire you to lend your support. And like Cain, we too hope you will consider making a year-end gift to help Manitobans affected by cancer like him.

With deep appreciation for your support,

Danica & Glen

Your support leads to healing

Tammy wakes up every morning feeling incredibly grateful. As a breast cancer survivor, she understands the fear of dying and the terrifying possibility of not getting to spend all the time she had hoped and dreamed of with her loved ones. Today, thanks to donor investment in cancer care, she is cancer free and leading a beautiful and full life.

Tammy’s journey with cancer began in 2014 when she was just 44 years old and a lump on her shoulder prompted her to make an appointment with her doctor. A physically active and overall healthy person, with no history of cancer in her family, Tammy, her husband, and their two teenage children were shocked and devastated when she received a breast cancer diagnosis. It felt like life had stopped.

The treatment she underwent for the next year was extremely difficult both physically and emotionally – surgery, followed by six rounds of chemotherapy and 35 rounds of radiation. She reports that the care she received from her oncology team at CancerCare Manitoba was exceptional in every way. However, it was CCMB’s emotional support programs, available thanks to the generosity of donors like you, she feels played just as significant a role in her overall healing and survival.

“When I was diagnosed, we sat down as a family and decided we would go through this journey together and we would take advantage of every support program offered to help us get through and heal once it was over,” Tammy said.

They took counselling sessions, she participated in many wellness classes and joined a support group for young women with breast cancer. It’s because of these donor-funded support networks that Tammy was able to face her post-cancer life with positivity and intentional gratitude.

It’s thanks to the selfless commitment of donors that support programs are available, not just to Manitobans on a cancer journey, but also for their loved ones.

Today, Tammy is dedicated to giving back to other women affected by cancer through mentorship, advocacy, sharing her story, and leading the Chemo Savvy dragon boat team – a group of nearly 100 breast cancer survivors committed to supporting each other and leading healthy lifestyles.

“If I hadn’t taken part in the emotional support programs offered thanks to donor support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’d still be dealing with the trauma of my cancer diagnosis and not living my life to the fullest.”

Donors are making new treatments available to Manitobans

It was in the fall of 2014 that the Schultz family’s world was turned upside down. Shelley was experiencing what she thought was a migraine. This was not unusual for her as she had suffered from them for years. But this time it was persistent and her family was concerned.

After a few very stressful days that entailed multiple hospital visits, her husband Al brought her to the Health Sciences Centre. Upon arrival it was quickly determined that the cause of Shelley’s migraine was from a tumour at the base of her brain. She needed surgery immediately to save her life.

“I was at work when I noticed my dad had called and left a voicemail,” said Shelley’s daughter Kari. “It was extremely rare for my dad to call me at work. I could hear in my father’s voice how upset he was. I listened in shock as he told me that my mom was in the hospital about to receive life-saving surgery.”

a middle-aged woman with brown hair walking her young granddaughter in a park setting on a gravel pathway.

It wasn’t long after her surgery that Shelley was diagnosed with lung cancer that had metastasized to the base of her brain. The Schultz family received the news that Shelley had a projected life span of three to six months. They were devastated but didn’t give up hope.

After undergoing donor funded genetic testing, it was determined that Shelley had a gene mutation contributing to the growth of her cancer. This made her eligible to receive a recently approved therapy and later join a clinical trial at CancerCare Manitoba. Access to clinical trials is essential so that Manitoban’s like Shelley are able to receive the very latest cancer therapies available.

“It was really exciting to hear that there was a treatment that could potentially work for my mom,” said Kari. “It gave us some hope for the future.”

Shelley started on the targeted therapy immediately and after a couple of months, the doctors were happy to see the tumours on her brain and lungs were no longer growing.

Today, nearly eight years after the overwhelming prognosis of three to six months, Shelley is on an updated version of her targeted therapy that is even more effective in fighting her cancer with even fewer side effects. Her tumours have shrunk or remain stable and the time between scans has increased.

Today Shelley is living her life to the fullest. She exercises daily, eats well and spends a lot of time with her five-year-old granddaughter Londyn. All of these things bring her joy and keep her feeling optimistic about the future.

Thanks to donor support, Shelley has more tomorrows with her family. The entire Schultz family is grateful for their commitment to advancing research and clinical trials at CancerCare Manitoba.

Your Support Provides New Treatments for Manitoba’s Youngest Patients with Cancer

Everything known about how to cure children with cancer has been learned from decades of research. Donor supported pediatric clinical research at CancerCare Manitoba provides access to state-of-the-art treatment for children with cancer. Children like Alyvia.

At the tender age of two, Alyvia was diagnosed with an aggressive, inoperable brain tumour after her parents noticed a regression in her gross motor skills.

Over a period of just a couple of months, Alyvia went from being a very active toddler to being unsteady and holding onto walls as she walked. They knew something wasn’t right with their little girl.

What followed was a four-month hospital stay that included multiple surgeries to attempt to relieve the pressure on her brain followed by six weeks of chemotherapy to try and shrink her tumour. Alyvia’s parents learned the devasting news that the chemotherapy she was enduring wasn’t working and that they were quickly running out of time.

Donor investments in research gave Alyvia access to a life-saving clinical trial.

Alyvia’s oncology team at CancerCare Manitoba secured a new targeted therapy treatment for her through a clinical trial available for pediatric patients with her particular type of cancer that was currently in the clinical trial stages. She was able to begin treatment at a critical time in her cancer journey. After only a week of receiving treatment, Alyvia had improved so significantly that she was able to be released from the hospital.

While at home, Alyvia continued with her treatment and made significant progress. As her tumour began to shrink, she had to relearn many of the things she knew how to do before her diagnosis such as eating and learning to walk again. Through ongoing physical and occupational therapy, hard work and a lot of determination, Alyvia is flourishing today.

Now five years old, she continues with daily treatment and her tumour has almost vanished thanks to your generous support. She’s taking hip-hop dance classes and loves running around outside with her friends. Her parents lovingly describe her as an entertainer who loves telling jokes and being the center of attention.

“We never would have believed this was possible.”

While she is too young to understand the impact your donations have had, her parents are forever grateful for the opportunity they’ve been given to access life-saving treatments for their daughter.

Thanks solely to the support of donors like you and her CancerCare Manitoba oncology team, pediatric
clinical trials are making a difference for Alyvia and other Manitoban children affected by cancer.

Thanks to you, Carole has more tomorrows with her loved ones

In the fall of 2020, Carole was diagnosed with lung cancer. Her initial reaction was a complete shock. She had recently retired after a successful 30-year career, and now a year later she was facing a life-altering cancer diagnosis.

It wasn’t long after her treatment began that Carole understood the importance of donors like you. With any cancer diagnosis comes uncertainty about what the future holds. Donor-funded research is creating new treatment opportunities and access to clinical trials for Manitobans like Carole.

Carole’s initial treatment plan entailed twelve weeks of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. It was successful in shrinking the tumour on her lung but her cancer journey was far from over. She received the disappointing and frightening news the cancer in her lymph nodes was growing and further treatment was required.

Because of your generous support, Carole was given another treatment option.

After undergoing a series of genomic tests developed in part through donor contributions, it was confirmed that Carole’s cancer carried a rare gene mutation that made her eligible to participate in an international clinical trial led locally by CancerCare Manitoba medical oncologist and Director of Precision Medicine and Advanced Therapeutics, Dr Shantanu Banerji.

Carole was the first person in Canada to join the trial, meaning she would receive customized targeted therapy to specifically treat her type of cancer with very minor side effects. “We have learned through research that there are many rare mutations in lung cancer for which targeted therapies can be helpful,” said Dr Banerji.

Clinical trials are a way for Manitobans like Carole, to receive tomorrow’s treatments today.

Dr Banerji and other scientists at the CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute are engaged in research that is key to delivering targeted therapies to patients with cancer. “By developing a therapeutic plan based on the individual biology of a person’s cancer, it allows us to treat it in a very precise way, resulting in better outcomes and improved quality of life for the patient.”

A few months after starting the trial Carole went for a scan and received the wonderful news that the cancer in her body was shrinking. Today, while she continues with regular visits to CancerCare Manitoba and remains on a targeted treatment plan, she is living her life to the fullest. An advocate for cancer research, Carole is sharing her story and using her voice to create awareness of the importance of investing in science, right here at home, so more Manitobans like her can have more tomorrows with their loved ones.

“I’m living proof that donor investment in science and clinical trials has positive results.” -Carole

Help us answer Hargun’s question: ‘Why?’

Hargun is a bright-eyed, joyful, funny, and determined little girl. She loves to read, draw pictures and play with her cousins.

Last fall, her family’s life was turned upside down after they received a shocking diagnosis no parent is ever prepared to hear. Only six years old at the time, Hargun was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

In one statement the unthinkable became their world: ‘your daughter has cancer’. Hargun began treatment immediately. Within the first day of her diagnosis, her doctor at CancerCare Manitoba explained there was an opportunity for her to participate in a clinical trial, right here in Manitoba, giving her access to the newest possible treatment. Her parents are grateful to generous donors to the Foundation that fund research and access to clinical trials for Hargun and other children like her.

After ten days, Hargun was about to leave the hospital and continue her long treatment journey from home when her parents noticed she had a fever. Things escalated quickly from there and within 24 hours Hargun had become severely ill with sepsis.

She needed immediate, life-saving care.

She was moved into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and put on a ventilator the next day. Hargun spent the next five weeks in the ICU. Her parents describe this as ‘the scariest days of our lives’. At the time the doctors didn’t how long Hargun would be on the ventilator. A week, two months, six months? No one knew what lay ahead. Through all of it, her mom and dad never left her side.

Hargun finally started to slowly improve and by the end of January she was strong enough to leave the hospital and continue her treatment from home. Still, her journey with cancer was far from over.

Today, Hargun takes daily chemotherapy medication and has monthly visits to the hospital for intravenous medication. She also has regular visits for spinal taps which allows doctors to analyze and monitor her progress. She has good days and hard days as she continues on her path to becoming free of cancer and completing her treatment in February 2023.

Despite the tremendous challenges associated with battling cancer, Hargun has remained tough through it all, inspiring her family and others to be strong with her.

You can help doctors and scientists find answers by donating today. When you donate to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, you make an incredible difference for cancer patients like Hargun and their families. Your support provides critical funding to operate a leading-edge cancer research centre that helps recruit the best and brightest cancer specialists to Manitoba.