Angie had always been determined, facing challenges that most of us never will. Born with differences in the limbs of her right arm and hand, she overcame societal biases and assumptions of what she could do throughout her life in school, among her peers, and in her career. Angie cast off labels applied to her and pursued her dreams. She exceeded people’s expectations, like learning to play the guitar with a prosthetic and forming a band. Years later, she would apply that same tenacity to face a devastating health scare.
Angie’s cancer journey began in May 2013, when she felt a lump on her left breast. Two mammograms and an ultrasound suggested it was nothing to worry about but Angie remained concerned. Then, the following January, she felt a new lump under her left armpit. A biopsy at Trillium Health Partners’ Credit Valley Hospital confirmed the fears that had been lingering over the past eight months: she had breast cancer.
On March 17, 2014, her surgeon, Dr. Grant Moffatt, performed a modified radical mastectomy. Simple mastectomies remove the breast tissue, nipple, areola and skin but not all the lymph nodes vs. modified radical mastectomies, which include removal of most of the underarm (axillary) lymph nodes. Doctors typically use modified radical mastectomies like Angie’s procedure, to treat invasive breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast tissue. “He and his team were amazing and made a very difficult situation so much easier to deal with,” says Angie.
Six weeks after surgery, Angie’s oncologist, Dr. Sheldon Fine, prescribed a treatment plan that included chemotherapy and anticancer medication. Angie recalls him as, “The nicest man, he saw me at my best and at my worst. Despite this, he was always empathetic, gentle and kind. He and his team picked me up when I felt low.”
Angie also grew close with the oncology nurse, Roy Ostil, who was always telling her jokes and making her laugh, distracting her before starting her chemo. Angie feels fortunate to feel the support of her entire health care team, from the nurses and doctors to the volunteers, nutritionists, technicians and pharmacy staff.
After 15 months, Angie completed her treatment plan and slowly began to recover. Nine years later, she made another drastic change, awakened with a newfound appreciation for life and the goals she wanted to accomplish. She quit her corporate job in finance after a 30-year career to become a motivational speaker. She also learned how to ride a motorcycle with one hand, getting her M license and purchasing a bike of her own.
Angie goes for annual breast MRIs. Earlier this spring during a routine scan, she had a momentary scare, which after diligent follow-up by Credit Valley Hospital’s Dr. Katherine Enright and nurse Michelle Hagle, turned out to be no reason for concern, but Angie notes: “I have learned that once you have had a cancer diagnosis, the fear never leaves you.”
Despite this momentary setback, Angie is thriving, still living in Mississauga with her husband where she has been for over 25 years. Angie still plays guitar, playing in a rock band that performs all over Ontario and has even written a book and executive produced a documentary chronicling her cancer journey. Back in April, she was honoured to speak to the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology on Oncology Nursing Day, sharing her story and expressing her gratitude for all the work nurses do.
“Today, all is fine and I’m back to being me. This latest chapter just proves how I can always rely on Credit Valley Hospital. I am forever grateful!”