The Many Faces of Breast Cancer

By Fern Doucette

Last Updated: Nov 3, 2006
Articles & News : Articles : Community Focus

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Much goes on behind the scenes of starting a support group or offering a community health talk.  What sets off the initial spark to action?  What is needed to put it all together?  What is hoped for as an outcome? Fern Doucette is one such champion in our region. She has bravely pushed back fear and uncertainty and stepped forward. As a breast cancer survivor, she recounts what she has done to benefit her community of Annapolis, Nova Scotia. 

 

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I care so deeply about my community, my town, my family.  I feel a deep need to share "now" not wait. Since part way through my chemotherapy I felt strongly that something had to be done to help people know where to turn for help and support from the health care professionals and other survivors.  I knew nothing then except that people died and that in itself is as fearful as the word cancer.  It is a dark terrifying maze.  I tried to education myself by asking questions.  My sister got a lot of books from the library for me.  The Pink Rose Kit was so helpful, but many weren't.  I just knew that I had to hit the cancer hard, fast, and do everything I could. 

I don't know how I got the courage to start a support group, but after a weekend trip to the Women Alike Breast Cancer Retreat in Tatamagouche a number of us starting talking in the van trip back.  Linda Barkhouse, a facilitator with the breast cancer support group in Kentville, really encouraged me.  That was in September 2005, and in May I took the Willow Facilitator Training.  By November 2005 we had our first support group meeting with five of us.  There was good group spirit from the start.  As people realized I was facilitating the group and would talk about breast cancer I got many calls and referrals, some not wanting to be public, but they craved the contact of one who had walked the road before and was still walking. 

I felt very inadequate at first, but when I was training we were told we were experts in our story and that's all we had to be an expert in.  We don't give medical advice, we share our stories, our choices and why, how our families and friends dealt with it, and every aspect of this journey. 

I soon realized there was very little true information out there.  It seems many here in my community are developing cancer.  I knew of eight people just in the short time since I was diagnosed.  I now know there are many more.  People seemed to think that these people had a family history or they didn�t take care of themselves, they ate wrong, didn't exercise enough, were over weight, that somehow they did something or not enough and got cancer.  I know this is wrong because of my own cancer. 

I was just as blind and ignorant about cancer before I was diagnosed.  I know

that people need to be educated on the truths and myths of this disease.  People need to know the importance of self-examination, of mammograms, and of getting a lump checked.  I also know that only 33% of Atlantic Canadian women get mammograms.  Apparently that's better than average, but not good enough.  I knew that I learned much and that I needed to help others.  People need to know that breast cancer can affect anyone regardless of colour, age, or walk of life.  Young women can also get breast cancer.

After starting the support group, I knew that I wanted to do something bigger. I wanted to put together a public education night.  I had a lot of ideas, but knew I

couldn't do it alone.  I knew we needed people who had knowledge, were personable and cared about people with this disease.  I spoke with Jacinta Harvey, the Nurse Practitioner with Annapolis Valley Health, and she instantly wanted to help.  That gave me the confidence to start moving.  I named the talk, The Many Faces of Breast Cancer, and set a date for October 26, 2006 at the fire hall in Annapolis. 

Jacinta agreed to present the different types of breast cancer, how to detect it, the early signs and the importance of early detection.

• #1:   I wanted people to know breast cancer is not all the same. 
• #2:  I wanted people to know where to turn for help.

I knew nothing about a Patient Navigator before I was diagnosed or that one even existed.  I spoke with Nancey Roach, Patient Navigator for the Annapolis

Area.  She was so kind, so helpful, so gentle, so encouraging.  Nancey helped navigate my diagnosis into something more like a twisting road than the maze I would have faced. I knew she could help people, but they needed to know she existed.  Annapolis Valley Health helped with posters, after my niece did a mock-up.  I asked grocery stores to stuff bags.  I took tabletop flyers to beauty shows, eye doctors, spoke about the public talk at any opportunity I could.  I put notices in church bulletins, nursing homes, and where ever else I could. 

My husband, son and daughter helped me at every turn.  They picked up donations, made tickets, got donations for door prizes and our Chinese auction (we raised $347 in less than one hour).  The money raised will be given to the Marg Salsman Fund (www.gladofhope.ca) for cancer patients.  This fund to helps cancer patients with everyday needs (mortgages, food, travel, babysitting, etc.).  As someone who didn't have insurance I know this fund is needed. 

When people arrived at the fire hall we gave them a pink cotton reusable loop for their shirt and treat bags that my family and I had made up (pink breast cancer fact sheet, Canadian Cancer Society pamphlets, BSE shower cards, BSE magnets for the fridge, and breast cancer number and motor vehicle inspections for life cards from Hyundai Summit).  The evening went so well from the start.  I was predicting maybe 50 people, but there were at least 100 people! 

The entire evening went really well.  Nancey Roach and Jacinta Harvey

presented. The visuals of the different types of breast cancer were something we won't soon forget. We had six survivors share 5-10 minute stories of their journey. These special, beautiful ladies were our hope.  We draw such strength from them.  I saw my support group ladies and would catch a gleam in their eyes of approval and thankfulness that we had put this evening on.  I draw on their strength each month as we walk this road together. 

The comments after the meeting were amazing.  There was a standing ovation (how about that!).  People stayed, talked and had refreshments.  It was a great

night and atmosphere.  People asked me if I would share my story.  I believe every time you share your story you heal a little more.  So at the end I read a poem I wrote when I was going through this disease (Poem).  I finished the evening with a door prize of my favourite donation, a handmade garden plaque that said, "Cherish the little things."  It was a perfect ending because that's what we have learned to do - cherish the little things, all things, each day.

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