Each Day is a Gift

By Barbara Thompson

Last Updated: Jul 10, 2007
Articles & News : Articles : Sharing Our Stories

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When Eileen Whyte of Moncton, New Brunswick was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2000 she had little time to think about her diagnosis. The surgeon told her there was no time to wait and without even a biopsy she was scheduled for a lumpectomy within 10 days. Besides that, Eileen was primary caregiver for her ailing father-in-law. He had been hospitalized and she had to make arrangements to bring him home and care for him. Trying not to add more concerns to his life she opted not to tell him about her diagnosis until the day of her surgery.

Eileen tells me her surgery day was a "comedy of errors.”  Her supportive husband was blocked from being with her as she was rushed around getting a mammogram and biopsy before surgery. After Eileen was positioned in the mammography unit, the x-ray technician was 30 minutes late arriving to do his procedure! With her quiet sense of humour Eileen adds that she was lucky she had brought a book to read. The surgery time kept being moved forward, staff kept coming back to her room saying, "You still here? As Eileen has other health issues, many things had to be taken into consideration to accommodate her needs. Eventually all things fell together and she was back in recovery by 6:00 pm. that night.

While being diagnosed with cancer was not surprising for Eileen, it was a shock to her husband and two children (aged 19 and 32). A number of Eileen's female relatives had been diagnosed with cancer, although rare forms.

After Eileen was diagnosed with breast cancer her attention, passion and volunteer time was redirected. Having grown up with community-minded parents, Eileen always involved herself with helping at her children’s schools, volunteering on boards and helping to tackle elder health. Eileen fondly remembers her parent’s house with the open-door policy, the community phone, and the extra plate for the many extra children who regularly dropped over. Her father’s belief was, “If you can do something for someone, do it.” 

Anyone who knows Eileen Whyte knows she is a “wise old owl” and an optimist. Eileen can always see something beautiful even in something ugly. She lives her life with the philosophy that, “Each day is a gift. You need to find something bright each day!” 

Something that makes Eileen tick is her desire to make improvements. As an artist she understands the subtleties of fine detail. She enjoys working with a team and as the new President of the New Brunswick Breast Cancer Network, that’s a good thing. Eileen became President after years of volunteering in the New Brunswick breast cancer scene. She started first as a co-facilitator with the Supporting Sisters Breast Cancer Support Group in Moncton, and then became facilitator of the group.

Eileen participated as a volunteer with the CIBC Run for the Cure on different committees in the Greater Moncton area, as well as being Team Captain for several years for the support group's team. Eileen has been a volunteer for the Hillsborough Fashions Gala event and is currently on the Breast Cancer Awareness Breakfast Committee. Eileen commented that by 2006 she was only Team Captain for the Supporting Sisters team, however, during these years Eileen volunteered with the Network as 1st Vice President for two years, 2nd Vice-President for two years, and filled in as acting President in 2006.

Trying to get Eileen Whyte to talk about her accomplishments is not easy. She is ready and eager to talk about how others are contributing and how the Network accomplishes its goals. Understanding the genuine team player that she is, you begin to see that Eileen is not someone who wants to stand out. She is humble, supportive, and determined to make a difference for breast cancer patients in New Brunswick, and across Canada, in her own quiet way.

At a March 2007 meeting of Supporting Sisters, Eileen was surprised with gifts from the support group for serving as co-facilitator for five years. Her gifts were a silver charm bracelet, and a 7 inch angel ornament. The angel’s message was, “A symbol of hope, strength, and survival for all to see”.   Eileen is very much one of the angels in New Brunswick and the message suits her perfectly. She may not want to stand out, but her kindness, determination and strength do.

What are Eileen's wishes for New Brunswick?   That the Greater Fredericton area gets a breast health specialist/nurse navigator to help make the journey easier for women diagnosed with breast cancer in that region.  And that smaller communities gets support groups and that support groups are tailored to patient needs (i.e. Holding afternoon support groups in senior complexes.)

 

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Barbara Thompson is the Managing Editor of the Atlantic Breast Cancer Net.

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