I Had a Promising Life Ahead of Me…

… and then … in May 2010, I was diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma in my lungs.

The news of this terrible disease was an overwhelming blow to me, my family and friends as I had to undergo open lung surgery to remove seven tumours throughout my lungs. The news after my surgery was even more devastating. The biopsy on the tumours came back positive for a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma called malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST). Even though I recovered quickly from the surgery, the cancer returned a few months later in July and formed new tumours in my lungs. My doctors told me that this type of cancer was slow growing; however, the next course of treatment was chemotherapy once the tumours grew to a certain size. That Fall, the tumours grew large enough to start chemo and, at the beginning of December, I was enrolled in a double-blind clinical trial involving 426 patients worldwide. The chemo left me feeling absolutely awful. Regardless, I was determined to fight this disease with everything I had.

My battle with cancer inspired me to get involved, to make a difference and raise awareness and funds for orphan cancers through the Enbridge Tour Alberta for Cancer in Alberta. I overcame many challenges to be able to train and participate in my first two-day ride in June 2011. My determination to stay strong in the fight inspired my teammates and, in 2012, I again participated in the ride.