Kim Steele can barely sit still as she talks about the weeks ahead when she gets to fully reinhabit her life after cancer. A devoted wife, mother of two teens, and passionate math and science teacher, it’s the imminent return to her profession that has Kim bouncing in her seat.
“I absolutely love my job! I’ve been teaching for 10-plus years – every grade except kindergarten, and grades one and three. I had just been hired for a new job as a junior high teacher, when I was diagnosed with cancer in August 2022,” said Kim. “Calling the principal to say I wouldn’t be able to start in September, they would need a replacement for me, was one of the hardest things I had to do.”
Kim discovered a lump in her breast after a day of hiking in the mountains with her family. When they returned to their Edmonton home, she went to her doctor and within two weeks she had a mammogram and an ultrasound.
“It all happened so fast, but still it was the longest two weeks of my life,” she said.
When a biopsy confirmed triple negative breast cancer with one, or possibly two lymph nodes involved, Kim was slated for intense treatment, including immunotherapy, which, at the time, was still in the process of being approved in Alberta for treating this type of cancer.
“I was so lucky that I found the lump when I did and that I qualified for this new treatment. Over the next few months, I had eight rounds of chemo and immunotherapy, then surgery – a lumpectomy,” she said. “When it was all finally over and I heard the words ‘complete pathological response,’ those were the best words I’ve ever heard! With my science background I knew this meant the chemo got it all.”
Now, reflecting back on her experience over the past year, Kim feels compelled to remind others who are diagnosed to stay optimistic. To consider that the science and medical research landscape is ever expanding and they are making great strides in terms of cancer treatment and delivery.
“I think it is astounding how fast the changes are coming, and hopefully it will keep getting better. I want to tell people that a cancer diagnosis doesn’t have to mean the end of the world. Stay hopeful and positive. And go to Wellspring!” she said.
“Wellspring is a hidden gem”
When Kim learned about Wellspring, the world was still just slowly opening up after the pandemic, so she eased her way into her new community of support beginning with just one low-key program.
“iRest Meditation was a perfect starting point because it forced me to pull back and focus on me. Then when I was ready for more, I joined the Healing Journey program – this was amazing. I learned so much, including the fact that acknowledging your emotions is important but staying positive can also have a big impact,” she said.
On days when she felt well enough, Kim did yoga online, and when she was up for the 15-minute drive, she ventured to Edmonton House where she felt safe to attend programs in person.
“I wore a mask everywhere I went; no way I could afford to get sick, but at Wellspring I felt safe. Everyone is extremely cautious – they don’t come in if they are not well. We all take care of each other,” she said.
Next Kim signed up for Open Art Studio, where members can bring any art project and enjoy the company of other members.
“I would bring my crocheting or my colouring and it just felt good to sit and chat and connect with people while doing an art project,” she said. “Cancer is isolating. You don’t realize how much you miss interaction until you have none. At Wellspring you can do an activity and talk or you can just listen. No one pressures you to do or feel anything other than what feels good to you in that moment.”
Next Kim signed up for Zentangle, and to her delight, this Wellspring program sparked her creative spirit.
“I’m not an artist by any stretch of the imagination, but in Zentangle the instructor breaks things down into very simple lines and you keep creating these shapes over and over and before you know it you have this beautiful piece of art. I love it! I will really miss this program when I go back to work, but I will keep doing it at home,” she said.
For Kim, the experience of being immersed in a community of support (online and in person), gave her hope and strength to keep going.
“Now I want to give that to others. When I go into the centre if there is someone new, I try and encourage and support them. I tell them about programs I have loved. I hope I can be an example – to show others they can get through this,” she said.
Kim is also quick to connect outsiders to Wellspring, aware that there are many who have been diagnosed or are caregivers and have not found their way to this incredible community of support.
“Wellspring is a hidden gem. There is so much support there – it’s that place you didn’t know you needed,” she said.
Lighting the way with humour
Throughout her life, Kim says she has always leaned into humour to get over the rough patches. “If I could laugh or make other people laugh, I could get out of my head and the situation wasn’t so bad,” she said. Cancer was no different. She made it her mission to keep things light.
“I crocheted these soft spongy F-Bombs and gave them to both floors of the cancer ward at the Cross [Cancer Institute]. On really bad days the nurses and doctors can drop the F-bomb without offending anyone. You can even throw it and no one gets hurt,” she said laughing.
She is also working on a crocheted donkey to give to the staff on the radiation ward. “You know … so they can kick a little cancer in the ass,” she said.
