Nancy's Story:

To explain my life, I refer to an old song called “A Coat of Many Colours” - a child of poverty wears a handmade coat, assembled with pieces of various colours & fabrics by her mother to keep her child warm. Others saw this coat as a reflection of her family's poverty but the child saw it as a sign of her mother's enduring love & she treasured the bright hues & patterns, appreciated the careful, tiny stitchery that held the pieces together & she felt loved & blessed. 

That story reminds me of my passion for BEING. I see each day is a gift, unique & beautiful. Just like each colourful patch in that child's coat....so many things to be grateful for.  Sitting outside, watching leaves dance choreographed by breezes, creating sculptures of light & pattern, clarity & darkness build my appreciation of BEING. 

In late 1990, at the age of 42, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In those days, mammograms were for those women 55 plus. Mom had a radical mastectomy in late 1974 while I was pregnant with our first son so an unusual skin bump (for three months) made me question & seek advice. My doctor immediately dismissed that particular surface thickening as “just a skin thing”, but he found something else deep inside during the exam. I had a tumour in the milk ducts of my left breast. Within ten days I had my first mammo (a surgical consultation & surgery). Remarkably, a week after the diagnosis, that strange skin bump disappeared. It makes me wonder if that “skin thing” was an angel warning to be aware.

After two surgeries complications arose & I struggled with severe infection. Because of my greatly-extended hospitalization rumours abounded in our small community & school friends told my younger son (10yrs old) that everyone knew his mother had cancer & was going to die. I found that out accidentally and it broke my heart because he never spoke of it to us. 

Ultimately, after recovery, I worked with another cancer survivor to create a children's book about a family dealing with breast cancer – the intention is to introduce discussion and open the lines of communication between parents & children. Now sold out long ago, all proceeds were given to the Ontario Breast Cancer Foundation We wish to republish this important book in the future.

Cancer treatment always has side effects so you have to deal with those as well. Radiation scars the arteries & veins so several years later I had to struggle with cellulitis in the left arm (a form of blood poisoning from the streptococcus germ). Hospitalized for several weeks & then again after my father had unexpectedly passed away, I had become so worn down. During this I was running a retail business, taking care of my widowed mom, dealing with a very dysfunctional sibling situation, taking college courses & prepping my artwork for our book. 

Around the same time a simple spider bite allowed the strep germ into my blood & infected me from the groin to my toes in both legs. The cellulitis destroyed the valves in my legs that squeeze fluid back up to the body core & has left me with chronic lymphodema - basically extremely-swollen feet & legs. The pressure of the excess fluid creates gnawing pain & throbbing & makes walking/standing painful & unsteady. I had to learn how to walk again & still use a cane, especially for steps & curbs. Humbling for sure being fiercely independent, how I hate asking for help. But I had to learn to ask when necessary & find most people very willing to be kind.

Two serious car accidents, our lives saved only because we drove a big Buick Park Avenue, added to the scars & wear on my body. Being rear-ended by a heavy truck caused extensive dental damage so that I am now, for the second time, getting braces to redirect my shifting teeth back into place.

Shortly after four plastic surgeries removed a basal call carcinoma from my cheek. Being extremely fair, that nurtured great awareness of the importance of awareness of our environment and our bodies' vulnerability.

Then I was diagnosed again, in late 2012, with breast cancer. This time on the right side & Stage Two meaning the cancer had already passed through my lymph nodes & moved into my body elsewhere. I am almost halfway through a five year treatment of medication that is to prevent the renegade cancer cells from forming a new tumour. As with everything it comes with a price: severe bone pain; attacking places that already have arthritis (created by the car accident damages), nasty insomnia which prevents healing rest, strong hot flashes & other fun things.  

Each day now is an adventure. Sometimes, I am forced to sit down and just do my crocheting while other times I dedicate a day to doing as much as possible while I can, come home exhausted and in pain, yet feeling productive. And in that crazy unpredictable lifestyle how can anyone ever be bored? Each patchwork piece of my life is unique and always colourful. Always personally hand-stitched with humour, gratitude & insight.

From each experience, I am gifted with a new wisdom, a new perspective about life & a maturity that mellows; another “patch” to wear.  Sharing my passion, my art, my writings, my sarcastic wit & love of terrible puns, and wisdoms learned from my experiences has led me to a stronger, more confidant & wiser me.  It has been a slow process as I walk my path & continue to learn daily. 

When dealing with cancer diagnosis & brutal side effects of the treatments, I insist on facts. No white-washing the potential.  I am strong, stubborn, tenacious and refuse to be weakened by the fear of what “could be”. I can only handle what I know.  Knowledge is power. A positive attitude gives me the strength to do what must be done. Do I get scared? Sure I do! Yet my mandate is to “put my big girl panties on & deal with it”.   I acknowledge my humanity & challenge myself to stay strong & positive. This is how I fight my battles. It is the only way I know how to be  (Continued at Right...)