When Angelina Jolie's opinion piece came out in the New York Times, revealing that she had a double mastectomy followed by reconstruction, as a result of testing positive for the BRCA1 gene, there was a lot of discussion and chatter by various media outlets and by social media.

It has been six years since my life took a drastic change with my diagnosis of breast cancer. Back then I was a forty five year old that had finally started taking her health more seriously....I had started running, and was training for a half marathon. But I was also...

Recently, a good friend of mine wrote me, wanting to introduce me to an esteemed colleague, and friend, who has cancer. She wanted me to meet him, and felt I would have a lot to share with him. She spoke to him about me as well. She shared this blog,...

This week I did something that I hadn't done in longer than I'd like to admit. I went for a run. Now one would ask why I haven't gone out for a run in awhile; especially since I've been writing a blog on cancer survivorship and running over the past...

Back in the day, when I was in ninth grade at Malcolm Campbell High School in Montreal, I played the flute in the high school senior band. Miss Gold, our band leader/teacher and a very involved and active conductor, was always looking for opportunities for our band to flourish and...

The beach has always held a special place in my heart. When I walk on the sand and listen to the waves hit the shore, there's a veil of peace that covers me. It brings me joy and happiness...like I'm walking on clouds. I'm sure it's probably like that for...

The other day I was going through a box of accumulated stuff in my house. In one of the boxes I found a pile of Runner's World calendars. I use them to record my runs and my usual form of cross training; biking. I would also write down the times...

On February 7 we celebrated World Cancer Day. The declaration and theme of this year's important day is to dispel damaging myths and misconceptions about cancer, and uses the tagline "Cancer -- Did you know?" This day gives anyone who has been touched by cancer a chance to...

With 2013 off to a trying start I was sure in need of some fun, enjoyment and good news. It came on Friday last week, when I went to a scheduled appointment at the genetics department at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). I had been undergoing genetic testing...

With 2013 still in its infant stage, I feel like an eternity has passed. On January 3 I received two pieces of unexpected, but bad news. Part of it I can speak about, the other part I cannot. But before there are any concerns raised, I can tell you the...

Happy New Year 2013! I know this will be a great year. I can feel it in my heart.

While the passage of time, the turning of the page and the ringing in of the New Year brings many an optimist and philosopher to take pen to paper and list...

Christmas comes upon us so quickly. There's so much to do, and it doesn't matter how many hours of work and effort go into the preparartion, the actual celebration goes by in the snap of a finger. The weeks prior to Chrismas day are busy and frought with anticipation. We...

Last night while on my computer I stumbled upon a twitter discussion regarding a blog post written by a breast cancer survivour. The topic was regarding cancer seen as a gift. The writer was of the opinion that cancer was not a gift, and that she'd much rather kick it...

This is the time of year when life starts to slow down. Yes, the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, and getting ready for the holidays could be an Olympic sport in itself, but our mind has focused in; to family to being grateful, to peace and to love "'tis...

When you are a cancer survivor, you are forever embracing uncertainty and, at times, strong emotions. This is quite normal, although, when alone with yourself, you may be doubting them. In fact, the longer you are a survivor, the more you may question these troubling thoughts. Your rational mind says...

I have been a cancer survivor for a little over five years. Throughout my journey, I have remained positive, sometimes scared, and at times frustrated. The base of it all, though, is my belief that I will thrive and live a healthy, full life.

When I was first diagnosed...

Once diagnosed with cancer, a patient's life will never be the same. Once the turmoil of the diagnosis, and the subsequent treatment, whether it's surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, is over life as we know it now commences. There are ups and there are downs.

Luckily for me, the ups far...

Last week my baby graduated from elementary school. Emma, the youngest of my three girls will now head to high school in September. In the days leading up to graduation day she would tentatively ask me if I would cry during the ceremony. As anyone who knows me would attest,...

On August 3, 2012, I will celebrate being five years cancer-free. Although I've been talking about this on and off, for awhile, it has only become more real over the past couple of months. I can sense a transition. I can sense the unknown. I'm about to graduate to another...

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...