Age: 16 | Brossard, Quebec
- Your Relationship to Childhood Cancer: I am a survivor of juvenile cancer. I had a brain tumour at age 6 and a recurrence at 8.
Passe-temps et intérêts Origami, reading, clarinet, tennis
Type de cancer qui m’a touché(e) ou a touché ma famille Brain tumour (craniopharygioma)
Nombre d’années en traitement On August 24, 2000, I had a surgery to put a shunt in to relieve pressure in my brain. Four days later, I had an 11-hour surgery to remove the brain tumour. Most of my pituitary gland was removed. In April to June 2002, I had a recurrence of my tumour and underwent radiation therapy for two months. On November 10, 2008, I had a surgery to replace my shunt since it was partially blocked.
Nombre d’années célébrées sans traitement It has been 8 years since my radiation therapy for my recurrence in 2002. I am still being followed up regularly in many departments at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and take medicines (synthetic hormones) for the rest of my life.
Mon plus grand défi face au cancer juvénile My greatest challenges have been keeping up with my health and also my schoolwork. I can’t forget to take my medicines every day; I really need them to survive. Oftentimes when I get sick, I make sure to act quickly and go to the hospital since it could be something serious to do with my condition, and it could get complicated. It could be my brain, or my shunt, or my hormones (which have been changed many times). Keeping up with my schoolwork is always challenging with all this, since I am a good student and value my studies very much.
Décrivez de belles choses qui se sont produites lors de votre périple avec le cancer juvénile I have become stronger, met many new people, had great opportunities, and gained knowledge throughout my journey with juvenile cancer. I have gone through so many different tests and procedures that I have gradually gotten stronger, less scared, and more confident. I got to meet many wonderful doctors in different departments. I have gotten involved with the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, sharing my story at their radiothon, and now being an ambassador for CTCACF. My journey also caused me to gain knowledge about the human body, cancer, and medicines, and gain interest in science. It has also inspired me greatly. Two years at the Bell Regional Science Fair, I won gold medals for doing projects on ways of attacking cancer. I started volunteering at a hospital this summer and will continue to do so. When I am older, I hope to be a doctor and work in a children’s hospital so I can help children with health problems like me.
Décrivez votre meilleure journée My best day so far has probably been my high school graduation on June 25, 2010. I won both the school board’s and the school’s awards for the student with the highest academic standing. I will most likely get the Governor General’s Academic Medal for high school. I won the McGill Science Award for my commitment to math and science. I won $1450 in bursaries, and medals for getting the highest marks in many subjects. It really felt good to see my many accomplishments, despite all my struggles.
Racontez-nous votre pire journée I have had a few worst days. One would be when my parents and I were told that I had a brain tumour and would need surgery. The surgeries were definitely scary times for me too. Another worst day that I remember more clearly was finding out on the phone at home that I had a recurrence, and would have to undergo radiation therapy. The last worst day was when I found out I had to have surgery to replace my shunt. Being older and more aware for made that surgery a very scary experience.
Dites-nous ce que la Fondation D’un océan à l’autre contre le cancer représente pour vous Coast to Coast Against Cancer means a lot to me and I am really happy to be an ambassador and share my story and give hope. I want to raise awareness about juvenile cancer and help raise money for children’s hospitals to contribute to quality of care and cancer research.
Quel est votre message pour les cyclistes, les bénévoles, les commanditaires et tous les Canadiens Juvenile cancer affects many children every year, and it can be very tough to go through. It’s important to never give up hope. Thank you to everyone involved with the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation and their events. Together we can raise awareness about juvenile cancer and raise money to support the cause.
Faites-nous part de toute autre réflexion personnelle Thank you to my family for all their love and support. Thank you to Dr. Jean-Pierre Farmer and Dr. Carolyn Freeman for saving my life, as well as all the other doctors and staff of the Montreal Children’s Hospital who have taken wonderful care of me.
