You don’t have a lot of time to feel sorry for yourself when you’re diagnosed with cancer, says Joan Collins.
The former Osoyoos teacher – she taught at Osoyoos Elementary School for several years in the 1970s- and long-time cherry orchardist was diagnosed with breast cancer last April.
She has spent the last 14 months battling the dreaded disease after undergoing a long series of chemotherapy and radiation treatments and a lumpectomy operation.
The great news is Collins is feeling good and really looking forward to participating once again in the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, set for Saturday in Gyro Park in Osoyoos.
“For years and years, I did regular breast exams and there was never a problem, but I detected something last April and it was small, invasive and aggressive,” said Collins. “Some people question why me when they are diagnosed with cancer, but I didn’t have any time to feel sorry for myself and I decided I was going to do something about this.
“I prepared myself immediately to begin chemotherapy and thankfully I had a great network of family and friends who were there for me to help and support me and that’s crucial when something like this happens to you. I was very lucky that way.”
After having the lumpectomy performed last June, Collins endured two long cycles of chemotherapy and radiation treatment and is recovering well as she prepares to participate in Saturday’s Relay for Life.
Like most of the participants in this year’s event, Collins knows how devastating being diagnosed with cancer can be, but she also knows the disease can be beat. Her brother, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer 14 years ago, is also a survivor.
“He’s doing great 14 years later and I plan on beating it too,” she said.
The Relay for Life is a wonderful event that allows cancer survivors to show support and share stories with others who have lost loved ones to cancer to participate in an event that raises tens of millions of dollars across this country each and every year, said Collins.
“Everyone is there for the same reason in that we’ve all been touched by cancer,” she said. “There is truly a feeling of community because of that and that makes for a very special day.
“This is all about remembering loved ones who we’ve lost, honouring the survivors who have beat cancer and raising as much money as we can to spend on research to hopefully one day find a cure.”
The lighting of the luminaries to remember and honour those who lost their battle with cancer is always the most emotional and difficult part of the day, said Collins.
“It’s an emotional day all-round, but it gets very emotional for a lot of us when the luminaries are lit,” she said.
Her husband Danny Gerela has shown tremendous support since she was diagnosed and you need that kind of support from loved ones when you’re battling this dreaded disease, said Collins.
“My husband has been wonderful,” she said. “He not only takes me to all my treatments, but he’s helped keep the house clean, done the dishes and made sure the fridge is full with good food.
“You worry a lot about things like that when you get sick, but it’s nice to know everything is taken care of and you only have to worry about getting better.”
Wilson’s granddaughter Paige said she’s very proud of her grandmother for battling as hard as she has over these past 14 difficult months. “I’m going to college in Vancouver, but I try and get back as often as I can to be with her and spend time with her,” she said. “I try and help out as much as I can and I’ve developed skills I honestly didn’t know I had.”
By Keith Lacey
Special to the Chronicle
