At the Community Dinner the theme was COURAGE….COURAGE TO MAKE CHANGE….how about I start with “You are courageous”!!! Thank you for sharing some of your darkest thoughts and moments. I can’t even imagine what you must have been going through, and despite all that your outlook and love of life remained positive…that is a gift…you are a gift….and your greatest gift is sharing your experience in a way that is honest, real, sometimes sad and sometimes funny (also loved the artwork!). Where most of us would have said “I give up” that was certainly not in your vocabulary!

I am not a writer like you. In one of your emails you were struggling with the right words, you said Thank you (too predictable), WOW!!! (over dramatic), Unbelievable (too Ripley’ Believe It or Not), Loving (might be going a little overboard), however I think these are perfect words to describe how I felt as I turned the last page! I say to you again….Thank you for having the courage to share your story….it WILL provide comfort to cancer patients and their caregivers going through the journey….”  Mary D’astolfo, Public Affairs Manager, Safeway, Vancouver, BC

and I had to spend a couple nights reading it myself, wonderful job you have done! I managed to carefully not let any tears drop on the pages, especially when reading letters to your son. My son was 9 when I went through my ordeal, and as a single Mom I related to all you said to yours.

The whole book felt like a look into my own memory, although a different course of action and cancer, the emotional journey was reminiscent of my own. Even you and your Mom knitting, as I am a knitter too, I make alot of hats for the cancer lodges, some funky, others more promiscuous for chemo patients.”  Jody Haws, Kamloops, BC

Terry and I finally had a chance to read your book and we are both amazed at the strength you had during the whole messy time.  What an inspiration you are and an amazing woman.  We both agree that our worst day ever is nothing compared to what you have been thru, really puts things into perspective.”  Terry and Marina Dovell, Balgonie, SK, CANADA

about how good it was so she wants to read it now too, she just finished chemo treatments a month ago.  Your positiveness is amazing and sure makes me want to always look at the positive in life.”  Rachel Knudsen, Balgonie, Saskatchewan CANADA

Candace,

My name is Kyla McMullin.
I felt compelled to write to you
after finishing your book last night.
Like you, the world dropped in on me
this year.  I gave birth to my first baby, the most beautiful baby girl you
could imagine,  on February 21st of this year.  3 days later, I was diagnosed
with Hodgkins Lymphoma.  With a few ups and downs, 1 cesarean, 3 surgeries, a
melanoma scare, serious infection (including 1 week in isolation away from my
newborn), I have been successfully done treatment as of Sept 19th, and I am
completely inspired to live a new life.

Like you, I documented my
journey in the form of a journal/blog, and im in the process of hopefully having
it published, for the same reasons you published your book.  To give back, and
to give HOPE.  I did not start reading your book, until my journey was complete
(so far so good).  I am so glad I waited, because I read your story with such
honor for how you handled your situation, and I feel that although our journeys
were very different, we handled each situation in a positive light.  And within
your inspiring words, I could still hear the silent fear and ache in your
deepest thoughts (or perhaps I was just feeling this for myselft).  Regardless,
your book was very valuable to me, and I want you to know that you are paying it
forward, so thank you.

I specifically enjoyed your section about using
humour (not everyone can understand this).  I specifically remember standing in
line at Costco on a Saturday, as patiently as any person can be at Costco.  I
was rocking a pink scarf on my head, and amongst the stares, I kept thinking to
myself “can’t these people tell that my days are numbered!!”  A bad joke indeed,
but humour brought much light to my situation.  I find it easiest to laugh at
things that hurt the most…it truly helps.

Candace, I really wanted to
email you just to say thank you.  As I am beginning what I feel to be the most
difficult part of the cancer journey so far, treatment is done, and I am
sporting the new hair of a twelve year old boy…I am so thankful for all of the
blessings I have recieved in the last year, but I am trying to piece life back
together, in a different way it seems.  The hard part, having changed so much
and perhaps not feeling the same change from those closest to me (not sure if
you went through this).  I know I am only able to control my life, but I
struggle to re-enter an unchanged world after having all of what is truly
important exposed to me on the deepest levels (and I am still suprised at just
how simple it is).
So again, that is why I just wanted to tell you
thanks.

And hopefully one day you can read my book
(I believe it is meant to be), and you will allow me the honour to pay it
forward as well.

Sincerely,
Kyla McMullin

Hello Candace,
I am a daughter of your friends.
They gave me your book for Christmas. It was inspirational and insightful,
thank you for sharing. I am always intrigued about people’s cancer journeys as
every single one is so different.  As tough and sometimes horrible a cancer
journey is, I think a lot of people get to find out and realize how strong they
really are.

I have been doing well.  My brain tumour is still stable and
low-grade [diagnosed in 2006 with an inoperable brain stem tumour], it’s just a
silent passenger I have to live with.  My husband and are [now] living in Nova
Scotia.  Life is good.  I recently got hired for one of my dream jobs, since the
tumour prevents me from being a firefighter.

But I just wanted to say hi,
and thanks.

Cheers, Christina

Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada:   —->    http://www.braintumour.ca/

 I loved your honesty.  I loved how your heart shone through as you were describing so many things.   I can’t believe the time
and quality of your responses to so many of your friends and how totally unselfish you were throughout the journey. I don’t
know what kept you going some days, and believe that your positive attitude and
willingness to always look forward contributed to your success.

You are  truly an inspiration.  I am so glad that you wrote this book. You talked about all the things that as a caregiver people are afraid to ask. I lost my Dad to pancreatic cancer in 1997, and his stoicism will always be remembered.” Laurie Murray, Brandon, Manitoba, CANADA

Candace spoke to the audience members of approximately 200 supporting the Pink and Chocolate Fundraising event sponsored by the Friends and Family Foundation.

Her topic centered around her own cancer adventure along with suggestions as to how to approach and communicate with people who are diagnosed with cancer.