Hi, I’m Tina.
My whole life, I’ve always been go-go-go. Even the treatments I endured through my two battles with cancer didn’t slow me down. After I finished radiation treatment for breast cancer in February 2021, that’s when the pain became unbearable. I was left with scar tissue build-up, it was like an NHL hockey puck was in my arm!
I received the call to welcome me to The Rankin Family Cancer Rehab Program at a very pivotal point in my life. Sadly, my mother – my best friend – was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away while I was recovering from my own treatments. It was now time to focus on myself and my road to recovery.
Meeting Dr. Harvey, Physician Lead for The Rankin Family Cancer Rehab Program, was like a breath of fresh air! He described my ongoing pain immediately, almost without me even telling him. I felt like he was reading my mind! It was a relief – finally, someone understood my pain and how to fix it.
I started the program thinking I would receive physiotherapy on my arm to help alleviate the pain, I had no idea the full scope of care I was about to receive. From balance and strengthening exercises, to nutrition and meditation, this program taught me how to listen to my body and provided me with the tools I needed to live my life after cancer.
The entire team I worked with during my treatment were true professionals in their fields and I cannot thank them enough for their care and compassion. I cried when I said goodbye on my last day! I could have been with the team in perpetuity!
This six-week program gave me a new lease on life. I was blessed to have that time given to me – I feel reborn. I really feel now that I can get on with my life.
I was surprised to learn that The Rankin Family Cancer Rehab Program was funded by our generous community. This means, I have you to thank. The generosity of our caring community has inspired me to pay it forward by leaving a legacy gift in my Will to Hotel Dieu Shaver Foundation. I couldn’t imagine where I would be physically, emotionally and spiritually had I not had the opportunity to attend The Rankin Family Cancer Rehab Program.