A VIVA Ambassador shares her inspirational story
Karen Simpson
AGE: 53
Occupation: Recruitment leader
Health issue: Skin cancer
I vividly remember my uncle Harry battling cancer when I was a young girl. He eventually lost that battle and I recall the big impact that the loss had on our family. Next, my dad found out he had skin cancer on his nose and had to have a rather large chunk removed. However, he recovered quickly and was only left with a scar. Then, ten years ago, my mom dealt with colon cancer and had life-saving surgery to restructure her colon. She has maintained high spirits despite a couple of setbacks in recovery and she’s been cancer-free ever since, smiling and travelling as often as possible.
Both my handsome partner in life, Jeff, and his mom have had to deal with bladder cancer over the last few years. Jeff received his diagnosis just three months before his planned 50th challenge—a mountain climb in Indonesia. He was shocked when he heard that “C” word, but firmly told his doctor it could wait until after the trip. Somehow, the doctor was able to manage the surgery and chemo so he could climb cancer-free—not an easy task when you think of the training schedule for such a trip. You see, Jeff and I had spent the previous two years transforming ourselves from unhealthy middle-agers to celebrating our 50s by regularly taking on big challenges. I do believe things happen for a reason. Our healthy new lifestyle created that trip, and that trip helped him immensely in dealing with his diagnosis and recovery.
In August 2015, the day after we returned from our first glacier climb at Mount Baker in Washington State, I found out I had two types of skin cancer. I think the news is always a shock and we all deal with it differently. My doctor put her plan for both types into action, and I focused on the positive: it was caught early. Surgery was eventually booked for February, and I immediately came up with a distraction plan, which was to train for the Toronto Half Marathon and raise money for a great cause. Training endorphins are good for the soul—so is helping others.
I will admit I delayed telling even those close to me about my diagnosis. I wanted to be able to give definitive answers about how it was being resolved. I wanted life and my relationships to stay normal. I’ve learned that, regardless of the great support someone might have in their lives, it is always a very personal journey. People fighting cancer don’t want to be consumed with it all the time. Maintaining normalcy, minimizing stress and creating lots of opportunities for laughter might be the best medicine. Add training for our upcoming Ottawa Marathon, and that’s been my chosen approach. Crossing the finish line cancer-free is my goal. VM
Inspirational WORDS
Jeff and I had spent the previous two years transforming ourselves from unhealthy middle-agers to celebrating our 50s by regularly taking on big challenges. I do believe things happen for a reason. Our healthy new lifestyle created that trip, and that trip helped him immensely in dealing with his diagnosis and recovery.
