In the Spring of 2004 at the age of 45, Drumheller resident Debbie Herman was diagnosed with breast cancer.
It all happened very quickly for Debbie following the diagnosis.
Within 24 hours, she was being prepared for major surgery. This was recommended to her to ensure all the cancerous cells were removed.
Debbie was given two months to recover from the surgery before starting a course of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
“During that time, my mom did a lot of research and opened my eyes to alternative healing, strength rebuilding and the rebuilding of the immune system. I was given the proverbial wake-up call, something happens to make you realize you should make some changes.”
Following her two months recovery, Debbie went to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary to discuss the treatment options available.
“As I was driving to the cancer centre for my first appointment, it hit me; I have cancer, and it was kind of overwhelming. I had had two months to come to grips with it, but I hadn’t come to terms with it.”
As she started chemotherapy treatment, Debbie and her family continued to seek out the offerings of alternative health professionals.
“Alternative therapists look at the possible causes of disease and offer complementary avenues to explore, in the way of therapies and supplements.”
Finding what Debbie believed to be the best immune system and vitamin supplements, she took a vitamins regimen prepared for her to rebuild her strength during the chemotherapy treatment.
She continues to take some of these same supplements today.
Debbie found the chemotherapy wasn’t as difficult as she had feared, although she started to suffer from fatigue. Having moved into her parents’ home while recuperating from surgery, she remained there during her treatment, allowing her to concentrate on feeling well and getting better.
“I have to tell you that my parents are the most amazing people. At least one of them was by my side each step of the way, at consultations, the various tests one goes through, the treatments, the questions, the answers.
I had such positive people and support around me, I honestly have to say I was so fortunate that everything I needed was there, all the tools I needed were always there for me, and any decisions were ultimately mine to make, and I made the decisions I could live with.”
After her treatment, Debbie was offered radiation and a 5 year drug treatment but decided against it.
Eighteen months after the initial diagnosis, the cancer was back.
“This time I did absolutely everything they recommended!”
Debbie’s first thought when hearing the news was, “I have done a lot of things over and above what was recommended to me to make myself better and keep myself healthy; what did I not do?”
At this stage, a health professional recommended she work with a life skills coach to deal with the emotional side of life, the emotional side of disease.
“Life skills coaches look at the current situation you are in and look ahead, not back,” Debbie explains. She found this experience invaluable.
“To some degree, I am a different person now than I was before I started that work. In fact, although it is a bit of a cliché, having gone through the cancer experience has also changed me. I discovered things about myself and about relationships with other people, and I am able to respond to things differently...positively.”
Debbie then started a stronger chemotherapy treatment at the Community Cancer Centre in Drumheller, followed by radiation treatment at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and is also taking a drug treatment.
Since her first diagnosis six years ago, Debbie feels better than ever.
“Other than the aches and pains caused by the cancer drug I take, I feel healthier now than I did before my diagnosis,” she explains.
Debbie still sees her oncologist annually, and the center here in Drumheller has an open-door policy, so although she is no longer immersed in ‘everything cancer’, she stays in the loop.
“This journey has taught me so much. There’s a network of people out there, some things appeal to you and others don’t, having a support network is very important, as is having positive people around you. These people allow you take control, help you make the discoveries or explore the information, but aren’t overbearing. Any of the health professionals I have come across have been amazing people.
One thing I need to mention, which took me a long time to realize, is that our care givers and families are going through a similar experience to the person who is undergoing the treatment, so they also need support, and they need some time to themselves, too.”
After her treatment, Debbie and her sister made the decision to sell the business they had run together for eight years, a gift shop and bath boutique in downtown Drumheller.
She took a year and half off, to travel but also to reward herself and re-discover this very unique area. “You have to stop and smell the roses close to home, too.”
Debbie doesn’t view cancer as a fight.
“This is part of you, you have to accept it, you have to work with it. If you are constantly struggling, how can that have a positive outcome? I have come to realize it is there; it’s always going to be there. It’s not at the forefront anymore, but it’s there...it keeps you diligent.
I fully intend to die with cancer, not from cancer.”
Debbie also got involved in the Relay for Life three years ago, which she takes part in with her team Tickled Pink.
The relay is a non-competitive overnight event, where teams of up to 10 people take turns walking, running or strolling around a track for 12 hours.
The event is organized by The Canadian Cancer Society, whose purpose is for people to get together and celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and fight back in the hope of finding a cure for this disease.
Tickled Pink organized a very successful evening of entertainment with a hypnosis show in March this year, to raise funds for the relay and this will be their fourth walk.
“What an amazing event it is, we walk, we dance, we laugh, we cry...we spend 12 very special hours together.”
Relay for Life 2010 will be held on Friday, June 11 at the Stampede Grounds.