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Acton/Georgetown, Friday, October 31, 2008 13 Guelph St. at Delrex Blvd. GEORGETOWN 905-873-1626 concept ford www.conceptford.com 519-853-3540 49 Commerce Cres., Acton, Ontario L7J 2X2 info@galvcast.net www.galvcast.net 354 Guelph St., #27 Georgetown 905-873-1655 Doing more than just your windows! Jeffrey L. Eason B.A., L.L.B. BARRISTER & SOLICITOR 905-877-6961 MISS. 905-877-6961 FAX: 905-877-9725 Barrister & Solicitor General Practice 116 Guelph St. (Rear entrance) Georgetown ACTON 372 Queen Street 519-853-9292 GEORGETOWN 333 Mountainview Rd. S. 905-873-3103 www.eramosaphysio.com Do not wait until you have the Lumps! Early Risk Assessment is now Possible! Freedom to choose For more information or a FREE brochure call 905-457-1700 www.thermographyclinic.com Dr. Cynthia Simmons HD LIVE STYLEIN for a cure join us for our in store fundraiser 905-873-0865 130 Guelph St., Georgetown 82 Main Street North, Georgetown, Ontario L7G 3H3 905-873-6127 Tino Scanferla from our community CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. My Inner Strength By Joy Lapine On February 14, 2007, I was feeling romantic as most of us do on Valentines Day. There I was getting ready for what I hoped to be a fabulous evening, putting on my make up and my favorite push up bra, when I noticed a lump. It felt a bit sore so I thought maybe when the dog jumped up to greet me she bruised my breast or maybe I had a clogged duct. I wasn't too concerned and thought up some pretty good reasons as to why I had that mysterious lump. A few weeks had past and I decided to have it checked out. My doctor requested that I go to have an ultrasound test on my breast. The Georgetown Hospital had me booked within two weeks but me and my infi nite wisdom thought I could postpone my appointment not once but twice due to work and other stupid excuses I could think of. Finally I booked the appointment for April 27, 2007. This date was it for me: no more worrying about it, I had to just do it! That Easter I was visiting my family and my dear mother was battling a horrible cold. Before I left that night, she had promised me she would go to the doctor. My mother passed away from bone cancer on April 26, 2007. I promised myself that I would not miss my appointment so I went to the hospital to have my test done even though I was emotionally drained. As they did the ultrasound the technician mentioned something about a mammogram. So they did the dreaded "breast press" and, as I was waiting for the technician to make sure everything was fi ne, she mentioned to me that the doctor may want to do a biopsy. Sure enough, they send me to another room where the doctor informs me of the procedure for the biopsy. I found it ironic that one of my good friends was going for a scheduled biopsy after months of tests in Toronto and here I was just going for a little ultrasound and it transformed into a biopsy within an hour. Georgetown Hospital, in my opinion, were not only professional and accurate, the staff did their job with passion and concern for the patient. I owe them so much! In June of 2007 I had my breast removed at the Milton hospital. I had some of my lymph nodes removed and they were tested for cancer. I was one of the lucky ones: I did not have chemotherapy but I am on Tamoxifen for another four years. There are good days and then there are other days. There are the times when I feel inadequate. Really bad days are the ones that I forget my work badge and pros- thesis at home and end up wearing my coat all day because I don't want to make others feel uncomfortable. Or being careless with my prosthesis and seeing my dog run by with it in his mouth. Even though cancer is a big part of our lives we cannot let it rule us. This past year and half has been such a life altering experience and I could not have done it without the strength of my family, friends and loved ones. Be aware and enjoy life. Just this past September I completed the Weekend To End Breast Cancer a 60km walk through Toronto and the CIBC Run For The Cure, and I plan to do it all again. I can not express the importance of educating yourself about this disease. Know your body! Don't make the guess yourself, leave that to the professionals. Don't feel foolish about asking the questions: that's how we learn and survive. As you see the sea of pink Scepticism will diminish You will know the survivors You know we are beating it Believe Life will return to normal By Mary Lou Foreman I can tell my journey with breast cancer as can many other women (and men) but each story is different: diagnoses, treatments, outcomes - every one with a dif- ferent ending. But having fought breast cancer I can tell you its a long road, one that at times will be very frightening and lonely. But remember to let family and friends take that journey (or at least part of it) side-by-side with you. Dont be afraid to show your emotions, let them see when youre upset, sad, scared, the times that you just cant seem to stop thinking about the disease and more importantly on the many, many good days when you just feel so positive knowing you will beat this cancer. As treatment progresses you will realize the cancer hasnt taken over your life - that you still have control, can have fun and laugh, can look at your bald head and think shampooing is so much easier now. The main thing is focusing on the future when treatment is no longer required, feeling well again, hair is growing in, the many appointments are dwindling and life is getting back to normal. I am a 7 year breast cancer survivor and and even still today, it is something I think of at least once a daybut I dont dwell on it, I look at breast cancer just as a little detour in the road of life and I am one of the lucky ones who has found a different route to get around it.