Fighting an incurable cancer

In 2004 at the age of 42, I was diagnosed with a rare incurable bone marrow cancer, Multiple Myeloma, life expectancy 3 to 5 years.   Like anyone receiving this diagnosis I was overwhelmed, the word cancer is frightening!  I had no idea about the reality I was about to face fighting this disease. 

Within weeks of my diagnosis I began chemotherapy.  I managed to get sick and lose my hair, however the treatment was not working!   In 2005 the doctors performed a stem cell transplant, I got very sick, lost my hair and it did not work!  In the fall of 2006 we tried a new chemo, which had just been approved in Ontario.  I did not get as sick, I did not lose my hair and it worked!  The cancer began to shrink.  In 2007 when the cancer had shrunk significantly I underwent a bone marrow transplant with my brother, Jim.  The transplant made me extremely sick, I lost my hair, however the good news this time was that it put me in a complete remission!

One of the causes of Multiple Myeloma is exposure to chemicals or toxins.  I had never knowingly been directly exposed, but I began to search for answers to the causes of cancer.   I began to research where I live, what I ate, what personal care products I used, what household products I used and what exactly was in these products.  What I discovered was frightening.  We are bombarded with chemicals in our lives!

I began to search large box stores for products with less chemicals.  I built a website in 2009 to share with people what products were less toxic and where you could purchase them.  I had also been working on a book during my battle because I wanted to help educate and bring awareness to the dangers that are lurking in our home and environment.  My book is entitled ‘Stop the Bitch! Cancer’ – catchy title – one definition of bitch is an extremely difficult and aggressive situation – exactly what cancer is.  Check out my website at www.youcare.ca.