Hello Everyone:
Happy Labour Day – it’s September 1st here in Toronto. 3 years to the day I finished my last of 25 radiation treatments. Woohoo!! I always like to mark these days. Tonight I had dinner at my favourite Japanese restaurant in old Chinatown with some old friends which was nice. J
One thing that has happened to me lately is that my taste buds are getting all messed up again. I have been having a terrible time with that ‘metallic’ taste again in my mouth. (Started during my chemo treatments). It started a while ago and it came and went and it was infrequent. Now, it’s pretty constant and frequent. For a while I thought I was imaging it. But I met someone recently who had radiation about 10 years ago and she says it happens to her quite a lot. It’s changing my palette again. So, wine is becoming not so enjoyable. Back to vodka and single malt scotch. **sigh…..I guess it could be worse. A lingering side effect. No one ever mentioned that to me before. Quite frankly, it’s a pain and it bugs me. But, on the bright side, at least my lymphedema is not bothering me as much anymore – that, and I’ve learned to just let it not bother me so much.
Recently I had been approached by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Womens’ College Hospital and Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation to participate in various events and projects. I have done a few things here and there in the past and I used to think about it quite a bit as although I wanted to be ‘out there’ and help, I sometimes felt a little afraid. A little too exposed and vulnerable if I did. But after much thought and deliberation, I have decided that I am going to do what I can and in any way I can to help. After all, having cancer and being so lucky as to be able to continue to live a life as I do, is something I shouldn’t hide or be ashamed or embarrassed about. As my mother keeps telling me, I give people HOPE. I certainly hope I do! So here is what I’ll be doing in the next couple of months:
- Appearing in the Annual Report of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – where they share and highlight stories of people who have and are living with cancer.
- Allowing for my image to be used in the “Stand up to Cancer” telethon being hosted by Gwyneth Paltrow
- Being the guest speaker to a group for the Reconstruction Clinic at Women’s College Hospital – to share my story to those who are considering the surgery. And possibly disrobing – I’m struggling with that part. But in the end, I guess it’s just another body part – and in the big scheme of things – should it really matter if it can really make a difference to someone else who is tentative and scared and wondering what she should be doing?? I guess not – – but I’m still shy deep down. J
I am going to attach the photo that I have given the CBCF to use for the annual report and the Stand up to Cancer event. It was taken last year in Beijing by my aunt, Julia.
Here is the blurb that is going into the report:
The role model: Winnie Go
No one expect to find a lump. But that’s exactly what Winnie Go found after a game of golf. Only 37 years old at the time, Winnie was not just surprised by what she had discovered, she was downright scared. When the doctor confirmed it was breast cancer and that it had spread to her lymph nodes, friends and family naturally expected Winnie to focus on her personal care and treatment. But Winnie decided that a diagnosis of breast cancer was not the end of her journey; it was just the beginning. With her support network – now known affectionately as “Winnie’s Warriors” – decided that while she needed to take care of herself, it was equally important for her to do as much as she could for others facing a similar battle. Bolstered by this conviction, Winnie threw a party and shaved off her hair, donating it to children with cancer. She also raised over $8,000 for the Wig Salon that evening. Winnie doesn’t know where her journey will lead her, but she has dedicated herself to a life of “I wills” rather than “Will nots,” letting other women know they are not alone in facing this disease and doing what she can to creating a future without breast cancer.
It’s really crazy sometimes when I read things like this and share my story. But I have been told that my story, like many others, is very personal and compelling and meaningful to those that read it whether they are going through treatments, and/or living with cancer or beaten the damn disease. So I labour on – with mixed feelings at times, but in the end, I feel like a good citizen, proud to do my part. I have been to the Wig Salon to help a friend pick out the perfect wig, hats and scarves; visited a friend of a friend who is dealing with a very serious and pretty much terminal cancer and saw an old friend who is battling for the second time and really killing it all in the last month. It all reminds me of what I have been through, and although sometimes I feel drained and very emotional I feel very good to know that I can be a quiet strength and comfort to someone. And that, makes it all worthwhile. J
Time for bed. I need my beauty sleep. That, and my secret hope that my hair and eyebrows will grow faster when I’m sleeping!! LOL!! (unlikely)
Love, Winnie xo
