My road to the Relay Victory Lap
Monday, May 7, 2012
By: Ann Vessey

Every 3 minutes another Canadian is diagnosed with cancer. I support the Canadian Cancer Society's mission to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer - people like me.

Every 3 minutes another Canadian is diagnosed with cancer. Just now I jotted down the names of people I know who are cancer survivors, currently living with or who have died from cancer. I came up with a list of 25 names without much effort. The majority of the people on my list are under 60 years of age! I support the Canadian Cancer Society's mission to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer any type of cancer. The people on my list as well as their family and friends are the reason I choose to participate in the Canadian Cancer Society RELAY FOR LIFE here in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In February 2008, I had a biopsy on a small lesion on the back of my right arm. A few weeks later I had a call from my doctor's office saying, my doctor would like to meet with me and could be available any time suitable for me. When we met she told me "You have melanoma." I had no idea what that meant and actually thought it wasn't that big of a deal. I didn't want my children - then 19 and 20 - or my parents to worry so opted not to tell anyone about the diagnosis of melanoma. I carried on with my normal life over the next two months I wasn't sick so why not. On May 6, 2008 I had my initial surgery. I was out of the office for a few days but was back to work the following week. No big deal!
On May 26, my husband Ian and I went to the appointment to hear the results of the pathology report. I still remember the doctor saying "Unfortunately, the melanoma cells have spread beyond the primary lesion to the sentinel node." meaning I required more surgery to remove the local lymph nodes. How could this be happening to me? I hadn't really thought melanoma was all that big a deal.
The surgeon gave me an information booklet to read to answer any questions I might have. I remember sitting in the car following that appointment reading the information to my husband Ian. I came to a section that read "If the tumour spreads beyond the local lymph nodes and skin to involve more distant sites, the cancer cannot be cured surgically and survival is greatly diminished." I closed the book. This was a whole new ball game. It was time to tell people.
That night we sat down with my children - Kathleen (20) and James (19) and that was certainly one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do. Two days later we drove to PEI to tell my parents. The visit was two-fold. The same day I heard my pathology report results, my father met with a surgeon who told him he had a tumour in his lung and required surgery. We sat with my parents talking about my dad's upcoming surgery and finally Ian said that we had some news to share with them. We told them about my diagnosis and the next steps. They were shocked beyond words. My dad held me and said it was one thing for him but it just wasn't fair that your own child should have cancer at the same time. That just isn't right. I hope never to be in his shoes is all I can say.
I had my second surgery the first week in June and this time took the time required to recover both physically and mentally from the surgery. My dad's surgery was scheduled for June 27 which was the day before my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. Not at all how we planned to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. I'm happy to report both pathology reports came back confirming our surgeries had been successful and no other forms of treatment were required. My dad and I both continue to have regular check-ups.
When I first met with my doctor and learned of my melanoma diagnosis, she predicted that one of the first things I would do upon leaving her office was "Google" melanoma - she recommended I go to the Canadian Cancer Society website. This was the same advice I gave Kathleen and James (my amazing and technical savvy children) the night Ian and I told them about my diagnosis. I've been surprised since my own 'episode' with cancer how many people approach me with questions about cancer - I've become an ambassador of sorts for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). I always tell my family and friends who ask me these questions to go to the CCS website and trust the resources available to them there.

Celebrating 4 years as a cancer survivor . . . Ann