Following common cancer treatment, such as surgery and radiation, muscle tension in the affected area may occur resulting in decreased lymphatic flow to surrounding tissue. In turn, this can make it difficult for fluid to penetrate through the tissues. In addition to being prescribed an individualized home exercise program by your physiotherapist, acupressure, or trigger point therapy, may be used during your treatment sessions.
Acupressure is an ancient healing art which was developed in China over 5,000 years ago. Using the pad of the thumb or fingers, the therapist applies pressure to key points on the skin surface. Applied pressure can vary from light to firm. This stimulates flow of the body’s life force energy, or “Qi”, which promotes health and healing. The acupressure treatment technique is rooted in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) belief that energy flows through meridians, or imaginary lines, throughout the body. In a healthy individual the energy flows freely. However, if the energy flow is obstructed, the blockage of Qi results in illness. It is believed that acupressure releases the active trigger points found on meridians allowing for a healthy flow of energy. Acupressure can also be responsible for relieving stress and strengthening the body’s resistance to disease. Additionally, the stimulation of active trigger points is thought to lead to an elevated level of endorphins. The release of endorphins, a natural painkiller, can allow for overall relaxation and normalization of the body.
By restoring your bodies natural energy flow, and releasing muscle tension, the ability for lymphatic fluid to drain from your affected region may be improved, decreasing one’s risk of developing lymphedema. Registered physiotherapists and massage therapists specializing in cancer rehabilitation are trained to assist survivors in managing muscle tension resulting in improved lymphatic flow.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Reducing Your Risk
Once damage has occurred to the lymphatic system, the affected area will be at risk
of developing lymphedema from then on. Fortunately, there are steps one can take to
reduce their risk:
1. Skin Care
- Avoid cuts and scrapes to the skin as much as possible
- Keep skin clean and dry
- Apply moisturizer daily to prevent cracked skin
- Protect skin with sunscreen and insect repellent, or cover skin when outdoors
- Avoid nicks and irritation when shaving
- If possible, avoid injections on the affected side
- Wear gloves and/or long clothing with doing an activity that may cause a burn or
injury, such as cooking and gardening
2. Minimize Constriction
- Do not wear tight or restrictive clothing on the affected area
- Avoid carrying heavy bags or purses on the affected side
- Avoid using the affected arm when taking blood pressure
3. Avoid Extreme Temperature
- Avoid exposure to extreme cold or heat, or try to minimize any exposure to less than
15 minutes
- Avoid direct heat on the affected area, such as hot tubs and saunas
- Wear appropriate clothing in the winter and summer
4. Healthy Body Weight
- Being overweight increases the risk for developing lymphedema, due to an overload on
the lymphatic system
- Consult a family doctor, physiotherapist or dietician for healthy eating and physical
activity guidelines
5. Healthy Activity & Lifestyle
- Exercise does assist with draining the lymphatic system, however excessive exercise
may trigger lymphedema by causing inflammation in the joints and muscles, therefore
leading to an increase in lymph production
- Increase the duration and intensity of exercise gradually
- Rest frequently and avoid over-exertion
- Monitor the at-risk area during and after activity, looking for any change
- Whenever beginning a new activity or an activity not performed in a while (such as
shovelling snow or raking leaves), gradually work up to the activity over a period of
several weeks
Reducing your risk of developing lymphedema may require a slight or major change to
your lifestyle. However, if changes are implemented gradually, it will allow for a simpler
adjustment.
of developing lymphedema from then on. Fortunately, there are steps one can take to
reduce their risk:
1. Skin Care
- Avoid cuts and scrapes to the skin as much as possible
- Keep skin clean and dry
- Apply moisturizer daily to prevent cracked skin
- Protect skin with sunscreen and insect repellent, or cover skin when outdoors
- Avoid nicks and irritation when shaving
- If possible, avoid injections on the affected side
- Wear gloves and/or long clothing with doing an activity that may cause a burn or
injury, such as cooking and gardening
2. Minimize Constriction
- Do not wear tight or restrictive clothing on the affected area
- Avoid carrying heavy bags or purses on the affected side
- Avoid using the affected arm when taking blood pressure
3. Avoid Extreme Temperature
- Avoid exposure to extreme cold or heat, or try to minimize any exposure to less than
15 minutes
- Avoid direct heat on the affected area, such as hot tubs and saunas
- Wear appropriate clothing in the winter and summer
4. Healthy Body Weight
- Being overweight increases the risk for developing lymphedema, due to an overload on
the lymphatic system
- Consult a family doctor, physiotherapist or dietician for healthy eating and physical
activity guidelines
5. Healthy Activity & Lifestyle
- Exercise does assist with draining the lymphatic system, however excessive exercise
may trigger lymphedema by causing inflammation in the joints and muscles, therefore
leading to an increase in lymph production
- Increase the duration and intensity of exercise gradually
- Rest frequently and avoid over-exertion
- Monitor the at-risk area during and after activity, looking for any change
- Whenever beginning a new activity or an activity not performed in a while (such as
shovelling snow or raking leaves), gradually work up to the activity over a period of
several weeks
Reducing your risk of developing lymphedema may require a slight or major change to
your lifestyle. However, if changes are implemented gradually, it will allow for a simpler
adjustment.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Lymphedema Signs & Treatment
Early detection is the best defence against lymphedema. Seek treatment promptly from a Certified Lymphedema Therapist if you notice any of the following changes on your affected side:
• Skin tightness
• Feeling of heaviness
• Clothing or jewellery feels tight on affected side
• Aching or stiffness in the area
• Feeling of ‘pins & needles’
• Swelling or increase of size in the area
Unfortunately, there is no cure for lymphedema at this time. However, with appropriate treatment it can be successfully managed. The treatment protocol for lymphedema is termed Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). It entails the following:
1) Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
• This is a form of gentle massage performed by a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. The goal of treatment is to stimulate and direct lymphatic flow towards adjacent functioning lymph nodes.
• The therapist may instruct you on how to perform your own lymphatic drainage.
2) Compression
• Multi-layer compression bandaging and/or compression garments are the most effective ways of reducing lymphedema. This process aids in reducing swelling and assists in the removal of lymph fluid.
3) Exercise
• Muscle movement is a key component in stimulating venous and lymphatic flow. Exercises are aimed at augmenting muscular contraction, enhancing joint mobility, strengthening the limb, and reducing the muscle wasting that frequently occurs with lymphedema.
4) Skin Care
• Skin care is addressed to avoid an overload to your lymphatic system, in regards to the role it plays in immune function.
• Skin tightness
• Feeling of heaviness
• Clothing or jewellery feels tight on affected side
• Aching or stiffness in the area
• Feeling of ‘pins & needles’
• Swelling or increase of size in the area
Unfortunately, there is no cure for lymphedema at this time. However, with appropriate treatment it can be successfully managed. The treatment protocol for lymphedema is termed Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). It entails the following:
1) Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
• This is a form of gentle massage performed by a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. The goal of treatment is to stimulate and direct lymphatic flow towards adjacent functioning lymph nodes.
• The therapist may instruct you on how to perform your own lymphatic drainage.
2) Compression
• Multi-layer compression bandaging and/or compression garments are the most effective ways of reducing lymphedema. This process aids in reducing swelling and assists in the removal of lymph fluid.
3) Exercise
• Muscle movement is a key component in stimulating venous and lymphatic flow. Exercises are aimed at augmenting muscular contraction, enhancing joint mobility, strengthening the limb, and reducing the muscle wasting that frequently occurs with lymphedema.
4) Skin Care
• Skin care is addressed to avoid an overload to your lymphatic system, in regards to the role it plays in immune function.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The Lymphatic System & Lymphedema
The lymphatic system is a structure which unfortunately most of us do not fully understand. Yet, it is responsible for numerous essential daily functions within the body.
The lymphatic system has three primary functions:
1. It plays a role in immune system function by destroying pathogens and clearing waste
2. It removes large cells our circulatory system cannot handle such as dead blood cells, toxins and cell debris
3. It works with the circulatory system to deliver nutrients, oxygen and hormones to bodily tissues
A diagnosis of cancer commonly also means that there has been a spread of the disease to the lymph nodes in the affected region. During surgery to remove cancerous tissue, lymph nodes are often removed or damaged in the process. Additionally, common treatment techniques, such as radiation therapy, can cause further damage to the remaining lymph nodes. This damage to the lymphatic system results in an inability to properly drain lymphatic fluid from the affected region, thus resulting in swelling. This condition is termed Secondary Lymphedema.
Primary Lymphedema develops when lymphatic vessels are absent or impaired from birth.
The lymphatic system has three primary functions:
1. It plays a role in immune system function by destroying pathogens and clearing waste
2. It removes large cells our circulatory system cannot handle such as dead blood cells, toxins and cell debris
3. It works with the circulatory system to deliver nutrients, oxygen and hormones to bodily tissues
A diagnosis of cancer commonly also means that there has been a spread of the disease to the lymph nodes in the affected region. During surgery to remove cancerous tissue, lymph nodes are often removed or damaged in the process. Additionally, common treatment techniques, such as radiation therapy, can cause further damage to the remaining lymph nodes. This damage to the lymphatic system results in an inability to properly drain lymphatic fluid from the affected region, thus resulting in swelling. This condition is termed Secondary Lymphedema.
Primary Lymphedema develops when lymphatic vessels are absent or impaired from birth.
Monday, February 28, 2011
An introduction to Haley Rehab - Helping those diagnosed with cancer, lymphedema and deep vein thrombosis.
The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation has asked us to share what we think would be helpful information in regards to physiotherapy for cancer survivors. This week I will provide a brief description of the services provided at Haley Rehab, introduce you to the lymphatic system and lymphedema, teach you how you can reduce your risks of developing lymphedema, and also educate you on acupressure and trigger point therapy. We hope that this information serves you well, and that it will answer questions you may have regarding physiotherapy care prior to, during and post cancer treatment.
Haley Rehab is a physiotherapy clinic in Ottawa, dedicated to helping those who are diagnosed with cancer, lymphedema and deep vein thrombosis.
Whether you have just been diagnosed, or are looking for complementary care during or after medical treatment, we are partners in helping you to continue doing what you love regardless of your medical history. Our client treatment philosophy is based on education, compassion, and empowerment.
Our services include:
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage to decrease swelling
• Acupuncture
• Personal fitness training
• Myofascial Release
• Compression
• Bandaging
• Posture Education etc.
Our team is comprised of five Physiotherapists and a Physiotherapist Assistant, all of whom are Certified Lymphedema Therapists. We also work with a Registered Massage Therapist, and a Kinesiologist.
If you are interested in booking an assessment with one of our physiotherapists, or have any questions, please call our Office Manager, Cindy.
Address: The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus
Maurice Grimes Lodge, Level S
200 Melrose Avenue
Ottawa ON K1Y 4K7
Phone: (613) 761-4062
Website: http://www.haleyrehab.ca/
*New Location Opening Soon in Bells Corners, ON
Haley Rehab is a physiotherapy clinic in Ottawa, dedicated to helping those who are diagnosed with cancer, lymphedema and deep vein thrombosis.
Whether you have just been diagnosed, or are looking for complementary care during or after medical treatment, we are partners in helping you to continue doing what you love regardless of your medical history. Our client treatment philosophy is based on education, compassion, and empowerment.
Our services include:
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage to decrease swelling
• Acupuncture
• Personal fitness training
• Myofascial Release
• Compression
• Bandaging
• Posture Education etc.
Our team is comprised of five Physiotherapists and a Physiotherapist Assistant, all of whom are Certified Lymphedema Therapists. We also work with a Registered Massage Therapist, and a Kinesiologist.
If you are interested in booking an assessment with one of our physiotherapists, or have any questions, please call our Office Manager, Cindy.
Address: The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus
Maurice Grimes Lodge, Level S
200 Melrose Avenue
Ottawa ON K1Y 4K7
Phone: (613) 761-4062
Website: http://www.haleyrehab.ca/
*New Location Opening Soon in Bells Corners, ON
Friday, January 21, 2011
Former President John F. Kennedy once opined that, “the courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle than the courage of a final moment; but it is no less a magnificent mixture of triumph and tragedy.”
After my mother’s initial diagnosis of cervical cancer, everyone in the family was understandably distraught. No one wants to hear that their mother has contracted cancer. My brother had been planning to be married just before we initially learned of my mother’s condition.
He naturally suggested that the ceremony be put on hold until she was well enough to attend. This suggestion had little impact, as my mother was going to have none of it. She didn’t care about the timing of her treatments--her son's wedding was going ahead as planned--and that was the end of the discussion.
Midway through her first series of radiation therapies, she boarded a plane and left St. John’s, Newfoundland, destined for Toronto so that she could attend the wedding. I remember being taken aback at the sight of her when she arrived. She was clearly unwell and had not really been in any shape to travel. During the course of the treatment she had lost a lot of weight and her skin was pale. She looked tired, her voice was muffled and very low. It was only at this particular moment that the magnitude of the situation struck me. It was then that Mom's ordeal became real for me. My mother had cancer.
Despite her physical appearance, she was perfectly giddy. Like a young child experiencing the world for the very first time, she embraced us all with the same generosity of spirit that we had come to know, love and depend upon. Nothing was going to stop her from being at her son’s wedding, and nothing, especially cancer, was going to get in the way of this happy celebration. The trip, she felt, was not at all about her, it was my brother’s special day and she was there to add as much joy as possible.
True to her fiery personality, she involved herself in as many of the preparations as her body would allow her to. I was lucky enough to get some alone time with her while shopping for last-minute wedding gifts. It was an absolute honour and a delight to capitalize on the precious time she had with us over that three days. The doctors had only permitted her a short stint so as not to interrupt her chemotherapy too dangerously. I loved shopping with her because she still had the insight to impart a mother's set of financial advisories upon me. She dutifully fussed and insisted when she felt I did not need to buy a particular black shirt, (because I already had one just like it) or that I really did not require more socks and underwear.
During the course of our private shopping excursion she also had the chance to relay to me a little bit of the experience that she had been going through. She was specifically impressed with the many of her fellow cancer patients. She told me about them losing their hair and having to dip their fingers in pools of ice water after intense treatment so that they would not lose their fingernails, and of many other physical ailments. She told me how grateful she was to have been stricken with a treatable form of cancer and she felt blessed just to be able to laugh and joke with the other patients as a form of mutual support and commiseration. She continued with this routine when she returned to Newfoundland for a number of weeks. She was then sent home to recover before her last planned round.
The road to recovery for Mom was a long one. She still feels some of the side effects today. However, she is now cancer-free and thriving almost three years later. Hers is a story of the courage to overcome the odds. It is a story of hope. She, (along with so many others) proclaims to us that cancer can be defeated. And this strengthens a faith that we are all taking important steps in the right direction.
Writing these blogs has been an emotional roller coaster for me, I must admit. Writing the one about my dear friend Jodie, in particular, brought fresh tears to my eyes. These blogs have been filled with my many emotions ranging from sadness to joy, from despair to hope, from fear to faith and from discouraging paralysis to enduring hope. This personal activity has truly reaffirmed my belief that the battle against cancer is far from a futile one. By virtue of the many who have passed on to something better and sadly departed from this world, the torch of strength and endurance has been kept alive. We are privileged and honoured to carry on in their memories and we are duty-bound never to forsake our obligations in this quest for a cure. As noted above, Kennedy hinted at the fact that what we do in our every day lives requires courage. I challenge my readers to have the courage to stay involved in the fight for a cure. Your courage will make a difference to the lives of many. May all of you be blessed in your journey.
After my mother’s initial diagnosis of cervical cancer, everyone in the family was understandably distraught. No one wants to hear that their mother has contracted cancer. My brother had been planning to be married just before we initially learned of my mother’s condition.
He naturally suggested that the ceremony be put on hold until she was well enough to attend. This suggestion had little impact, as my mother was going to have none of it. She didn’t care about the timing of her treatments--her son's wedding was going ahead as planned--and that was the end of the discussion.
Midway through her first series of radiation therapies, she boarded a plane and left St. John’s, Newfoundland, destined for Toronto so that she could attend the wedding. I remember being taken aback at the sight of her when she arrived. She was clearly unwell and had not really been in any shape to travel. During the course of the treatment she had lost a lot of weight and her skin was pale. She looked tired, her voice was muffled and very low. It was only at this particular moment that the magnitude of the situation struck me. It was then that Mom's ordeal became real for me. My mother had cancer.
Despite her physical appearance, she was perfectly giddy. Like a young child experiencing the world for the very first time, she embraced us all with the same generosity of spirit that we had come to know, love and depend upon. Nothing was going to stop her from being at her son’s wedding, and nothing, especially cancer, was going to get in the way of this happy celebration. The trip, she felt, was not at all about her, it was my brother’s special day and she was there to add as much joy as possible.
True to her fiery personality, she involved herself in as many of the preparations as her body would allow her to. I was lucky enough to get some alone time with her while shopping for last-minute wedding gifts. It was an absolute honour and a delight to capitalize on the precious time she had with us over that three days. The doctors had only permitted her a short stint so as not to interrupt her chemotherapy too dangerously. I loved shopping with her because she still had the insight to impart a mother's set of financial advisories upon me. She dutifully fussed and insisted when she felt I did not need to buy a particular black shirt, (because I already had one just like it) or that I really did not require more socks and underwear.
During the course of our private shopping excursion she also had the chance to relay to me a little bit of the experience that she had been going through. She was specifically impressed with the many of her fellow cancer patients. She told me about them losing their hair and having to dip their fingers in pools of ice water after intense treatment so that they would not lose their fingernails, and of many other physical ailments. She told me how grateful she was to have been stricken with a treatable form of cancer and she felt blessed just to be able to laugh and joke with the other patients as a form of mutual support and commiseration. She continued with this routine when she returned to Newfoundland for a number of weeks. She was then sent home to recover before her last planned round.
The road to recovery for Mom was a long one. She still feels some of the side effects today. However, she is now cancer-free and thriving almost three years later. Hers is a story of the courage to overcome the odds. It is a story of hope. She, (along with so many others) proclaims to us that cancer can be defeated. And this strengthens a faith that we are all taking important steps in the right direction.
Writing these blogs has been an emotional roller coaster for me, I must admit. Writing the one about my dear friend Jodie, in particular, brought fresh tears to my eyes. These blogs have been filled with my many emotions ranging from sadness to joy, from despair to hope, from fear to faith and from discouraging paralysis to enduring hope. This personal activity has truly reaffirmed my belief that the battle against cancer is far from a futile one. By virtue of the many who have passed on to something better and sadly departed from this world, the torch of strength and endurance has been kept alive. We are privileged and honoured to carry on in their memories and we are duty-bound never to forsake our obligations in this quest for a cure. As noted above, Kennedy hinted at the fact that what we do in our every day lives requires courage. I challenge my readers to have the courage to stay involved in the fight for a cure. Your courage will make a difference to the lives of many. May all of you be blessed in your journey.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
“Do you remember when we used to sing?”
Grade 10 physics was a very difficult course. The teacher was amazing, the class was fun, but the material was painful. Hours of study were required to grasp the mathematical equations and theories behind such things as the speed of planetary masses and their volumes. These hours of study seemed to fly by a lot faster when I spent them with Jodie. She was the smartest girl in our class and one of the prettiest, as well. We would attempt to figure out what this physics business was all about while jamming to the latest tunes and inhaling all the sugar we could get our hands on in order to keep our brains active.
The evening before our physics midterm exam we were again together at Jodie's house being our usual boisterous, silly (and studious) selves. About twenty minutes into our intensive session, she decided we needed a break. I was in full agreement. The music on her favourite radio station was blasting in the background. We had always required something to hum along with in order to keep the energy level high. Jodie was not fond of the particular selection that was playing during our “break” and decided that we needed to call the radio station and request something different--something we could really belt out. The song she decided on was by Van Morrison called, “Brown Eyed Girl.” I am sure it was no coincidence that her eyes are brown as well.
“Do you remember when we used to sing, Sha la la la la la la la la la la te da!” rang from the top of our lungs when the disk jockey finally played our request. After the song was over, he wished us luck on our midterm over the air. We instantly felt popular and cool -- whenever I hear that song now I still think of Jodie.
Jodie is an amazing individual. She was a member of Canada’s World Junior trade mission to Malaysia in 1998. She was our class valedictorian and she gave a truly amazing speech on the power of dreams. She was awarded the Governor General’s Award for academic excellence upon graduation along with numerous other scholarships. She studied at Memorial University of Newfoundland and the University of Edmonton, earning undergraduate degrees.
After university, she met a dashing young fellow and the two fell madly in love. The quotation under Jodie's picture in the yearbook had read, “I want nothing for myself, only a tall, dark, handsome son-in-law for my parents.” And she got that in spades! Jodie was wed in a beautiful ceremony held in our home town. Not long after, Jodie discovered that a little one was on the way. Nine months later, or thereabouts, a gorgeous baby girl was born and was named Emma. She was immediately the love of Jodie’s life--her absolute pride and joy.
I do not remember when I last saw Jodie face-to- face. We were the type of friends who always kept in touch through email and facebook. We were able to follow each others lives through photos and the occasional chat on the telephone. Her pictures burst with a thousand words, and they always clearly expressed the happiness of the life that she had both created and deserved.
I can remember how excited my old friend was to let me know that she was pregnant once again. This time, however, the pregnancy was not nearly as pleasant as her first one. The morning sickness was more intense and she seemed to have nagging pains throughout. The doctors assured her that it was normal for pregnant women to feel uncomfortable and to have sore muscles due to increases in body-weight.
The real mystery of these dramatic discomforts was only discovered when Jodie went into labour. Her labour was premature and was an extremely painful and taxing ordeal. It was discovered at that time that the cause of all of her additional pain was a cancerous tumour which had rapidly developed during her pregnancy. The growth resulted in the miscarriage of her new baby, and this wreaked tragedy in every sense of the word. Not only did Jodie lose her baby but was faced with the daunting diagnosis of a very rare form of cancer. I can only imagine that her turmoil must have been unparalleled. Her family was informed that given the seriousness of her condition, the doctors were unclear if she would be able to pull through the operation required to remove the tumour. It was a time of shock, bewilderment and grief for everyone who knew and loved her.
Jodie picked herself up from her painful ordeal and made it through the surgery successfully. Her journey with cancer, however, had just begun. She was to undergo intensive and pervasive chemo-therapy in an effort to truncate the spread of the deadly disease. She faced it all, being a powerful woman, with a type of courage that I had never had the privilege to witness before. Jodie was purely motivational. She latched onto this life with all of the fervour and grace imaginable.
After a tremendous battle with cancer involving many rounds of treatment, and in her twenty-eighth year--Jodie was taken from us. She was a mother, a wife, a daughter, and she was my friend. Her life was a pure example of courage. I am both grateful and blessed to have known her. She changed who I am as a person and taught me at a very young age the value of making each and every day count. Jodie's memory inspires me whenever I think of her.
Raymond Lindquist, a pastor in the Presbyterian Church, is quoted as having said: “Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.” From Jodie I have learned also that courage can be defined as having the strength to say good-bye. She will always be my special brown-eyed girl.
My Dearest Jodie: “Do you remember when we used to sing?”
The evening before our physics midterm exam we were again together at Jodie's house being our usual boisterous, silly (and studious) selves. About twenty minutes into our intensive session, she decided we needed a break. I was in full agreement. The music on her favourite radio station was blasting in the background. We had always required something to hum along with in order to keep the energy level high. Jodie was not fond of the particular selection that was playing during our “break” and decided that we needed to call the radio station and request something different--something we could really belt out. The song she decided on was by Van Morrison called, “Brown Eyed Girl.” I am sure it was no coincidence that her eyes are brown as well.
“Do you remember when we used to sing, Sha la la la la la la la la la la te da!” rang from the top of our lungs when the disk jockey finally played our request. After the song was over, he wished us luck on our midterm over the air. We instantly felt popular and cool -- whenever I hear that song now I still think of Jodie.
Jodie is an amazing individual. She was a member of Canada’s World Junior trade mission to Malaysia in 1998. She was our class valedictorian and she gave a truly amazing speech on the power of dreams. She was awarded the Governor General’s Award for academic excellence upon graduation along with numerous other scholarships. She studied at Memorial University of Newfoundland and the University of Edmonton, earning undergraduate degrees.
After university, she met a dashing young fellow and the two fell madly in love. The quotation under Jodie's picture in the yearbook had read, “I want nothing for myself, only a tall, dark, handsome son-in-law for my parents.” And she got that in spades! Jodie was wed in a beautiful ceremony held in our home town. Not long after, Jodie discovered that a little one was on the way. Nine months later, or thereabouts, a gorgeous baby girl was born and was named Emma. She was immediately the love of Jodie’s life--her absolute pride and joy.
I do not remember when I last saw Jodie face-to- face. We were the type of friends who always kept in touch through email and facebook. We were able to follow each others lives through photos and the occasional chat on the telephone. Her pictures burst with a thousand words, and they always clearly expressed the happiness of the life that she had both created and deserved.
I can remember how excited my old friend was to let me know that she was pregnant once again. This time, however, the pregnancy was not nearly as pleasant as her first one. The morning sickness was more intense and she seemed to have nagging pains throughout. The doctors assured her that it was normal for pregnant women to feel uncomfortable and to have sore muscles due to increases in body-weight.
The real mystery of these dramatic discomforts was only discovered when Jodie went into labour. Her labour was premature and was an extremely painful and taxing ordeal. It was discovered at that time that the cause of all of her additional pain was a cancerous tumour which had rapidly developed during her pregnancy. The growth resulted in the miscarriage of her new baby, and this wreaked tragedy in every sense of the word. Not only did Jodie lose her baby but was faced with the daunting diagnosis of a very rare form of cancer. I can only imagine that her turmoil must have been unparalleled. Her family was informed that given the seriousness of her condition, the doctors were unclear if she would be able to pull through the operation required to remove the tumour. It was a time of shock, bewilderment and grief for everyone who knew and loved her.
Jodie picked herself up from her painful ordeal and made it through the surgery successfully. Her journey with cancer, however, had just begun. She was to undergo intensive and pervasive chemo-therapy in an effort to truncate the spread of the deadly disease. She faced it all, being a powerful woman, with a type of courage that I had never had the privilege to witness before. Jodie was purely motivational. She latched onto this life with all of the fervour and grace imaginable.
After a tremendous battle with cancer involving many rounds of treatment, and in her twenty-eighth year--Jodie was taken from us. She was a mother, a wife, a daughter, and she was my friend. Her life was a pure example of courage. I am both grateful and blessed to have known her. She changed who I am as a person and taught me at a very young age the value of making each and every day count. Jodie's memory inspires me whenever I think of her.
Raymond Lindquist, a pastor in the Presbyterian Church, is quoted as having said: “Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.” From Jodie I have learned also that courage can be defined as having the strength to say good-bye. She will always be my special brown-eyed girl.
My Dearest Jodie: “Do you remember when we used to sing?”
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