Beth Marchant
“When I started treatment, I was the youngest person in the room… Now, that’s not really the case.”
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Sandra’s cancer journey began at age 43. In 2010, an injury had occurred which left a bruise and a small lump on her right breast. Weeks passed by and the lump was still there. In the space of a month, the lump grew from the size of a marble to a golf ball. The mammogram results came back as suspicious. The next step was to see a specialist who did a biopsy.
The results came back that Sandra had close to stage 4 breast cancer. The testing that followed was urgent – and took place quickly over a short period of time. She started chemotherapy which consisted of 4 rounds every 3 weeks followed by a second more intense 4 rounds.
“Through-out my treatments I was still working full-time at FedEx. My chemo treatments were always on Friday afternoon, I would work and then go for treatment after and return to work the following Monday.”
Once Sandra’s second round of chemo ended she had her right breast removed (mastectomy) in addition to her lymph nodes. This was followed up with 12 weekly sessions of radiation treatment.
The second part of Sandra’s journey took place 3 years later. She made the decision to be proactive with the removal of her left breast as a precautionary measure against new cancer cells forming. Sandra also removed part of her back muscle to rebuild her breasts.
“Through my breast cancer, I was more focused on my kids and what I needed to do as a mother. Friends and family thought that I was pushing myself too much. I don’t think they understood the significance of me going to hockey and being there for my kids. Hockey took my mind off the pain and what I was going through. I was able to focus and channel my energy on watching my kids play hockey. I know that my dedication to my children and the will to support them in the sport that they love so much was vital to my cancer recovery. It gave me a sense of purpose.”
Each person is different — and each breast cancer diagnosis is too. That’s why Breast Cancer Canada is laser focused on research that will deliver personalized treatment plans.
This Spring, we’re shining a bright light on Moms like Sandra. Just in time for Mother’s Day.
Walk or Move from April 14 to May 14, you can even start today!
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“When I started treatment, I was the youngest person in the room… Now, that’s not really the case.”
The most important thing was living every day to the fullest – and the memories.
“Progress means every woman — in every Canadian community — is seen, heard, and cared for”.
“With more research and more awareness, we can ensure fewer women are blindsided the way I was.”
Breast Cancer Canada donations fund life-saving research that directly impacts Canadian patients. That means better answers, bigger breakthroughs – and more personalized treatment for every breast cancer diagnosis.
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Every breast cancer journey is unique, but together, these stories paint a powerful picture of progress. Through firsthand accounts from patients and survivors, we share stories that highlight the lived-experiences of breast cancer.
Progress happens when we invest in it. Canada is home to some of the world’s brightest minds in research. Together, we are advancing science, ensuring it leads to earlier detection, better treatments, and improved outcomes for patients across the country.
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