OK – I have been asked alot….Why OCATS?…..so will fill you in.

I was diagnosed with Cervical cancer back in July of 1998, they found it while I was in having some kidney/bladder surgery.  The big “C” word was not new to me as I had a spot of skin cancer on my nose removed back in early 90′s.

It was a shock but upon further reflection, I knew something was happening as I was really in the “Low energy” mode while trying to work full-time up in the high arctic and travel for conferences, trade shows, etc.  I thought it was just all the travel and working overtime.  When I finally stopped and laid in the hospital bed, I could see where I was.

I didn’t go into the poor me or pity mode, I’m NOT that kind of person.  I had started the year before to read Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way and was into thinking POSITIVE, etc.  This was a little bump on the road – I was NOT going to let this stop me from my plans for the business I was working for or MY life!  I had the surgery to see what extent the cancer cells were and the removal of the area….then was told probably only radiation was needed.  Then, the Cross Cancer asked if I’d like to be part of a Cervical Cancer study where some chemo was administered along with the daily radiation…..might not add to the success but might do some good.  DH was not into waiting, he wanted the radiation to start now…..I was OK with waiting for the chemo drugs to arrive as I was still recuperating from the kidney/bladder surgery.  So, 3 weeks later the treatment started.  We lived 40 minutes from the Cross Cancer at the time and that daily drive was divided up between our son and DH.  Some days it was just the radiation which was less than the wait in the waiting room!  2 days a week I got the full meal deal…..all day chemo with radiation  at the end of it.  I did some sleeping but alot of reading and journal writing.  Also, doing business on DH’s cell for the Inuit craft business – Taluq Designs Ltd.

The nurses & doctors couldn’t believe how POSITIVE I was everyday…I HAD to be for my sanity!  As I said earlier, this was just a little bump on the road of life, I am a SURVIVOR – had been all my life.

Treatment was finished mid October and I was back up north November 5th or some such date.

My world fell apart when my sister, MaryLou, who was 10 months younger than me was diagnosed with lung cancer…..that affected me more than my own cancer.  I tried to stay POSITIVE for her, but it was NOT enough.  (Oh dear — tears are welling up here!).  Why did she get the shitty end of life rather than me?  I’m not a very religious person (long story there about childhood experiences) but I believe there is a higher power of some kind and I guess I am here for a reason.

My life has totally changed since – not only going through my bout with cancer but my sister’s, then my Dad’s last years and some other changes I have put in the recesses of my mind on purpose.  DH’s brush with death 3 years ago was another big change.  I was always one to put myself behind something or someone else, his life changing bout has taught me to LIVE FOR MYSELF!  No one is going to LIVE for me, so I have to figure out where or what I want for MYSELF!

I AM SO HAPPY to be still here and I hope for many more years to come!  I try to LIVE everyday to the FULLEST!  Every minute of EVERY DAY!!!

I firmly believe that being POSITIVE in life instead of dwelling on all the negative is the way to LIVE!!!

So, to be asked to join OCATS and to be included in the survivor’s Art exhibit – The Art of the Matter was a natural progress.

So, that is my story…..