The Reason
My husband, Michael, died of a terrible, horrible, no-good cancer in late October, 2022. He was diagnosed with it just over a year after recovering from his first, completely un-related cancer. Did you know that once you get cancer, it can be easier to get it again? Despite my perhaps jovial tone, the grief before and since he died has been devastating.
Finding meaning after loss is important. For me, it largely takes the form of advocacy, writing, and speaking.
The Mission(s)
Michael on the radiation treatment table, during treatment for his first cancer. The mask is to ensure that the beams go in exactly the right spots during every treatment. This picture doesn't show how he initially refused this likely curative treatment or how horrifying the 35 days he spent in this mask were for both of us.
Current Activities
I am a Patient and Family Advisor providing my perspectives and lived experiences to improve policies, programs, and practices to Cancer Care Ontario.
As part of my work as a Caregiver Advocate with Lung Health Foundation, I attended the Better Breathing Week conference held in Toronto from January 21-25, 2025.
Lung Cancer Voices Podcast - Ep 93 - The Importance of Trauma-informed Care: Caregiver Story.
In October 2024, I was interviewed about our experiences for the Lung Cancer Voices podcast talking about Michael's two cancers, the growing importance of trauma-informed care, navigating grief, and tips for caregivers. The episode went live on February 25, 2025, wherever you get your podcasts.
LUMEO Video - In August 2024, I was the patient and family representative for a Kingston Health Sciences Centre video about LUMEO, the impending health information system that staff and patients transitioned to, starting December 2024.
Patient and Family Advisory Council at the Southeastern Ontario Cancer Centre - Since Sept 2023, I have been Patient and Family Advisor. I use my experiences as a caregiver and—my husband's experiences as a patient—to weigh in on policy and education at the cancer centre as well as the broader Kingston Health Sciences Centre. This has included participating in:
If you are a patient or family member who would be interested in contributing to patient and family-led care at the cancer centre, please consider joining us! You can contact Angela Morin, Co-Chair/Lead for Patient and Family-Centred Care.
Patient and Family Advisor, Queen's Family Health Team - I have been contributing to the newly-formed advisory committee since its inception in August 2024.
I am active on Instagram in cancer, grief, and widowed communities. Find me @awidowswalk