Andrea Paine

My journey through breast cancer started five years ago this month. It was in April of 2007 that I was sent to a specialized breast clinic and was diagnosed with breast cancer. The quest to be healed would have many twists and turns along the road. Nothing was simple.

I...

The theme of National Oncology Nursing Day this year, "Partners in Care: Advocating for Excellence," highlighted the very important role that oncology nurses play in Canada's health care system.

Oncology nurses are front and centre with patients and their families in their search for a cure. They care and...

A couple of weeks ago, I found out that a colleague at work was diagnosed with breast cancer. It's always sad when you get news like this. It hits home a little more when it's someone you know.

She's young and in the prime of her life. And right now...

The weather has been terrific over the past few days. Sunshine and temperatures just above the freezing mark...very unlike your typical Canadian winter in the month of February. For a runner, this is a real treat! It reminds me that spring is around the corner; even though it may be...

What a wonderful day today! It's Valentine's Day. Time to wear red and eat some chocolate without feeling the guilt. My girls always get excited about Valentine's Day. When they were younger we would buy packages of little cards, and they would diligently get out their class lists and write...

There's a definite reality in my life and I face it every weekend. I am a hockey mom. I'm sure many of you can relate to the amount of time that is spent in hockey arenas and travelling to and from them. While you're all collectively rolling your eyes, having...

I'm sure that everyone at some point in their lives have had the thought: If only (you can fill in the blanks). Or when I get this, I will do that... If only I made more money, I'd be able to go on that vacation I have dreamed of... When...

Last week, during one of my long commutes home, I called a good friend of mine. She had emailed me a couple of weeks ago and hinted that she may not be in such a good place at the moment. She had her own fight with breast cancer that was...

It's vacation time! For two wonderful weeks I will try to switch off and not to think too much of my job. It's a time to connect on a deeper calmer and more relaxed way with my daughters. I will be visiting my loved ones over the next five days....

As we get set to welcome another year, our minds turn to resolutions. Some people make a couple of big ones. Typically weight loss is one of the big ones, as well as harder work and the will to increase one's yearly earnings. During the season of peace and goodwill...

Look back at your life, and the people in it, for a moment. The people you know, whether they are family, loved ones or friends, can usually be divided up into positive people or negative people. If you're like most people, myself included, you have a mixture of people on...

I have been reading lots of articles about cancer research, experiences of cancer survivors, and opinions on a variety of cancer help sites. One particular discussion presented me with the opportunity of a lot of food for thought. Dr. Susan Love wrote a blog entitled "Wishful Thinking and...

It is soon to be six years since I laced up my first serious pair of running shoes. By serious, I mean I paid more than $50 for them, which, at the time, for somebody who was not really a runner, was more than enough! I was told that a...

What could be better than the prospect of a long weekend? Not only that, the beautiful sunshine and record breaking temperatures on the hotter side are such a welcome bonus! We will be hitting the colder temperatures soon enough, so this weather has turned out to be the most amazing...

Where does the time go? Jobs family events, and sometimes a bit of introspect all take time and energy. The summer has come and, if the weather is any indication, gone as of this weekend. Last weekend I ran in shorts and a T-shirt... this weekend the long-sleeved T, windbreaker...

Like everything else in life, I find it important to spend some time just collecting my thoughts. Even time taken off of blogging is sometimes necessary. So I took a few weeks to spend with the family, and give my full attention to my girls. Then we had the annual...

Canada lost a true and very charismatic political leader today. Jack Layton lost his battle with cancer. He will be remembered as a man who was extremely dedicated to his party, and who was a natural-born leader. Very few people actually follow their true calling in life. They fall into...

My last blog was a somewhat unusual one for me. I wrote about the son of a good friend who had, unfortunately, passed away from cancer. I mentioned I was going to dedicate my run to him the following day.

And, true to my word, I laced up my shoes....

Next Monday I have my six month screening and checkup with my oncologist. Each time this visit with my doctor comes up, I get the jitters several days prior to it. I can't help it. And although my conscious mind knows this is why I'm a little more tense than...

Recently my eldest daughter, Stephanie, graduated from high school. Along with her high school leaving diploma, she received two awards; one for math and the other for overall most improved student.

Stephanie was 12-years-old when I was struck by breast cancer. I had my double mastectomies one month before she...