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.”
Cassandra Knight (Liska) is getting on her bike in the streets of Drumheller with a purpose: on Saturday, June 26, she is embarking on a 200 km two day ride across the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with thousands of men and women with the same goal: riding to conquer cancer for the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
