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Finding a new normal

When cancer ends, your life after cancer begins. Your perspective on life, your role in society and your feelings about yourself and others may be different now than before your cancer experience. You could say that having been through cancer is a life-changing experience.

When we spoke to hundreds of blood cancer survivors across Canada, most of them shared their struggle in figuring out a new meaning to their life after cancer. If you are struggling to regain a sense of normalcy in your life, you are not alone.

You are not alone

We can help you adjust to your new normal and embrace the new you.

Stories of Canadians affected by a blood cancer

A painting of Samantha
Samantha Redsky
I was diagnosed with a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 23. Needless to say, it was a surreal experience.

Calgary AB
Canada

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    A painting of Samantha
    Samantha Redsky
    I was diagnosed with a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 23. Needless to say, it was a surreal experience.

    Calgary AB
    Canada

    https://www.bloodcancers.ca/stories/samantha-redsky learn more about Samantha Redsky
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    A painting of Tom
    Tom Wong
    I’m an LLSC First Connection Peer Support volunteer where I share my journey and perhaps bring some hope to others affected by a blood cancer. If nothing else, I’m there to listen.

    Toronto ON
    Canada

    https://www.bloodcancers.ca/stories/tom-wong learn more about Tom Wong
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    A painting of Sherley
    Sherley Roy
    It's more than a year and half since my allograft. I’ve now been in complete remission for one year. I’m doing really well, and I’m in great shape. I’m enjoying life to the fullest.

    Montreal QC
    Canada

    https://www.bloodcancers.ca/stories/sherley-roy learn more about Sherley Roy
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    A painting of Brian
    Brian Fortune
    My wife and I both enrolled as contacts for the First Connection peer support program, me as a survivor and Brenda as a caregiver. It was very rewarding to be able to assist another survivor in various ways.

    Halifax NS
    Canada

    https://www.bloodcancers.ca/stories/brian-fortune learn more about Brian Fortune

    Finding a new normal

    Tips to help friends and family understand the new you

    Tips for talking to your healthcare team

    Your Life After Cancer Committee

    We are thankful to the following eight cancer survivors for their enormous contribution in the development of the information and resources on survivorship presented on our website.

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    Haley - Halifax

    Haley Zora

    Haley lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia after moving there with her husband, Fabian, from Regina, Saskatchewan. Haley was motivated to join the Advisory Committee to help other people such as herself who didn’t always fit the “cancer patient” mold and could use some more representation.

    Jeannette Castillo

    Jeannette was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) with a Ph+ chromosome subtype and treated in Calgary, AB. Jeannette joined the Your Life After Cancer Advisory Committee to make a positive impact for people who are newly diagnosed and families touched by a blood cancer.
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    Jeannette - Calgary
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    Mayra - Montreal

    Mayra Husic

    Mayra Husic was diagnosed with stage IV Follicular Lymphoma back in 2011 and currently resides in the suburbs of Montreal. She wanted to join the Advisory Committee given she felt there wasn’t any support available for patients who were managing various side effects, mental and physical after their cancer experience.

    Luc Berneche

    Luc is a caregiver to his wife, who lives with small cell lymphocytic leukemia, a chronic leukemia similar to CLL. Luc joined the Your Life After Cancer Advisory Committee to share his experience with others, he hopes to help others who care for a person with a blood cancer.
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    Luc - Calgary
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    Keith

    Keith

    Keith was diagnosed with myeloma in 2012. He joined the Your Life After Cancer Advisory Committee to help others to move through their experiences with cancer.

    Samantha Redsky

    Samantha was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2008. She is currently entering her 12th year in remission. Samantha wanted to join the advisory committee because when she was newly in remission, she had no real place to turn to for advice to live her life again. She wanted to be able to give others the opportunity to feel less alone.
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    Samantha - Calgary
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    Aviva - Toronto

    Aviva Rubin

    Aviva was diagnosed with marginal zone lymphoma in 2016 and treated at the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, where she continues to be monitored every six months. Aviva believes that patient and caregiver voices are critical to building the multitude of psycho-social supports that take us through and beyond cancer treatment and that patient perspectives will ensure a broad understanding of how cancer leaves those it touches forever changed.