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 atwww.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
