Cancer survivor to talk about treatments, courage, family, and success
By
Mark Schadenberg
Every
cancer survivor has a story to tell, and in many cases they decide to publicly
talk about the battles in an effort to possibly assist others fighting the
disease.
Lori
Husk is one of those people. Husk, who has lived in the Innerkip / Woodstock
area her entire life and was very active in many areas including golf and
curling, was diagnosed with breast cancer, but now is ready to recall her
journey.
Lori
Husk will be the official spokesperson for Woodstock – Relay For Life in 2014,
June 13-14 at CASS – the 12-hour team fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer
Society (CCS).
For
Husk, it was during a self examination in September of 1999, she realized
something might be wrong.
“I
found a small lump in my right breast. It was much the size of a mosquito bite
without the redness and itching,” says Husk, who very soon thereafter visited
her family doctor.
“After
an appointment with my family practitioner, two mammograms, an ultrasound and a
core biopsy, it was discovered I had a very aggressive stage two cancer. I was
told surgery was needed right away,” explained Husk.
Her
surgery would require immediate follow-up treatment -- chemo therapy and radiation.
“This
hit me very hard, as I had always tried to lead a very healthy lifestyle,” says
Husk. “I did not smoke. I was very active golfing, playing baseball, curling,
going to the gym, and following my two active children, while also working full
time.”
While
maintaining a positive approach, Lori Husk also credits her husband Harvey,
children Ryan and Nicole, other family members and friends as part of her
cancer-fighting team.
“All
I could think of is, I am too young to die. My children are too young not to
have a mother. How could this be happening to me? This isn’t fair. How can I be
feeling fine and you’re telling me (doctors) I am going to be sick for the next
year.
“I
later found out that this would be a completely normal reaction (for a cancer
patient), explains Husk.
“After
three days of crying, my children came to me and said, ‘Mom you are a strong
person and you can beat this’. So, I traded in my Kleenex for my big girl
panties.”
As
treatment continued, Lori Husk notes how overwhelmed she was with family and
friends wanting to help in any way possible.
“I
had always been the helper, not the one that needed help,” she says. “I tried
to surround myself with positive people and started my journey.
“My
mother-in-law was a great help, as she was a volunteer driver for the (Canadian)
Cancer Society. She, and two other very close friends, drove me to radiation,
and other treatments and appointments.”
Despite
the complex scheduling of life’s regular activities and medical appointments,
Lori Husk continued to work.
“The
next year seemed to go very slow. I was very fortunate to have a great employer
and was able to work through most of my treatments. I chose to work to help
keep my mind on the positive side.
“When
it came time for radiation, I was too exhausted and burnt to continue working,
so I did take six weeks off to recover then.”
With
its Survivor Lap at 7 p.m. during Relay For Life, it is a moment to recognize
both those still suffering from cancer and people who have become healthy once
again.
After
the lengthy series of treatments, Lori Husk now declares herself to be: ‘cancer
free’.
“I
went every six months for extra testing and continued yearly visits to the
cancer clinic. I was released from care just three years ago. I am cancer
free,” she says.
However,
cancer continues to be part of her extended family.
“Since
my diagnosis, my immediate family has been struck by cancer. My sister has had
breast cancer twice. She has had a double mastectomy.
“My
mother lost her battle to pancreatic cancer just two years ago.
“I
have discovered that there are many help groups for patients and family for
different forms of cancer, these can all be accessed by contacting the Canadian
Cancer Society. I have made it my mission to help make cancer history, will you
help me?”
The
Oxford community office for the CCS is at 65 Springbank Ave North in Woodstock
and they can also be called at (519) 537-5592.
For
additional details in participating (or volunteering with) in Relay For Life,
contact CCS anytime, call co-chairs Sandy Smith (456-5270), Deb Moss (539-2288)
or Bob Axon (421-0806), or register online at www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock
Lori
Husk will be the guest speaker at the Relay Kick-Off Rally on Thursday, March
6, 7 p.m., at the Quality Hotel & Suites. The kick-off event is a terrific
time to talk to all steering committee members, register your team or
yourself, volunteer, discuss sponsorship opportunities, buy a luminary, or
simply discover what Relay For Life is all about.
Pictured: Front (from left): Relay co-chair Deb Moss, Relay spokesperson Lori Husk, Relay co-chair Bob Axon, Relay media/communications Mark Schadenberg. Back: Relay past chair John Hunt, CCS Oxford manager Janis Cunningham, CCS staffer Jennifer Belleth, and Relay co-chair Sandy Smith.
Relay Kick-Off Rally
Thursday, March 6, 7 p.m.
Quality Hotel & Suites
Bruin Blvd, Woodstock
www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock
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