Why I Relay? More like... why not?
Friday, November 30, 2012
By: Stephanie Bryant

A highlight into the reason why I Relay.

Everyone has a different reason for wanting to join in the fight against cancer. While I personally know many people who have been affected by this disease my main reason to Relay is because of my dad ♥

My dad has always been a hard-worker and worked in labour positions whether it was framing houses, installing floor coverings, roofing, or laying cement sometimes holding multiple jobs at a time. I'd never seen my dad weaken in my entire life, not even shed a tear he was a "man" in every sense of the word (tall, strong, active). I love and respect my dad with all my heart he stepped up and took responsibility and the role of being my dad from the day I was born, since my real father was not in the picture.

My dad's cancer story began on October 22, 2000, my mom's birthday, at the beginning of my grade 11 year. He noticed a lump prior to then and kept it private for awhile, then finally talked with my mom about it and she arranged an appointment with our family doctor. That was when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. This was not something he ever desired to hear as both of his parents had passed away from cancer. His dad had cancer of the lung and brain and passed away in 1976 when my dad was only 12 years old. While, my dad's mother passed away in 1981 from lung cancer, when he was 17 years old. I had known about the history cancer played in my dad's family, but had never realized the deeper meaning until we began our journey through his fight.

When my parents informed me that my dad had cancer, I didn't fully grasp the effect this would have on our lives. I guess I figured that the doctors and hospital would help him get better and everything would go back to normal. I remember the exact moment that the reality hit me. I had just walked in the front door after school and saw my dad kneeling on the ground in front of the couch with a hand on the table trying to get himself up, and he was ... crying. It was the first time I'd ever seen him cry, and it hit me hard. After that it seemed like all everyone could talk about was cancer at school, on television, advertisements, everywhere!

Through my entire life my dad had always been there for me, and helped me when I was sick or hurt. However, now the time had come that I should be returning the favour, but I didn't know what I could do to help and try to make him better. While my mom and I were my dad's caregivers during his battle with cancer, there were many people that helped support my mom and I during it all family, friends, the Allan Blair Cancer Centre, Canadian Cancer Society, Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation, etc.

They say a girl's Sweet Sixteen birthday is a special day and one that she will always remember; well I cannot deny this as I remember mine completely. My parents and I woke up early on the morning of Monday November 13, 2000 and headed down to the Allan Blair Cancer Centre in the Pasqua Hospital for my dad to begin his first day of chemotherapy with my mom and me by his side. His first chemotherapy treatment was 3 cycles, and then he was told he was in remission.

A month later they found that the cancer had come back and performed a lymph node biopsy on the back of his stomach, and began chemotherapy again for another 6 months. The doctors then said he was in remission again, so we began to plan for my high school graduation, that was only months away. This time his remission period lasted 3 months. The doctors noticed he had a floating tumour in his stomach and was put on chemotherapy until March 2002, when he went to Saskatoon for some meetings with doctors there and they took stem cells out of his back.

He then was admitted into the University Hospital in May 2002. On his 36th birthday, May 21, 2002, he underwent a self stem cell transplant in Saskatoon; which we now refer to as his rebirth day. We were told he would be recovering in Saskatoon for awhile, and would have to miss my graduation which was insignificant in the larger scale of life. However, my dad fought hard to recover to the levels he needed to be at in order to be released from the hospital and a week before my graduation he was told he can come home, but to take it easy. He attended my graduation, and has remained in remission since May 21, 2002!

My dad's determination is a trait that I inherited from him and, like he fought to be there for my graduation and life, I will continue to fight equally as hard to help others survive their battle. Because of the research and support that the Canadian Cancer Society provides, my dad has been able to be there for my high school graduation, the purchase of my first car, my University convocation, my wedding, and the purchase of my first house - all things that would not have been possible without everyone who helps to support the Canadian Cancer Society ... people like yourself. Thank you for your support and help in making more Survivors!