Letter from Jayne Belson

My name is Jayne, and my husband and I moved to Canmore from the UK in 2007. In 2019, I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. I received 16 rounds of chemotherapy and had five surgeries within four years so needless to say, I have a bit of brain fog after all that anaesthesia, along with being medically and then surgically fired into menopause.

I can’t remember at what point I heard about Wellspring, whether it was a brochure in the ‘blue pack’ of information you get when you meet with your oncologist, or at the chemo unit at Canmore Hospital, or it may have been through some of the ladies I met a few weeks into my diagnosis at Canmore Hospital. However it came to be, I am so glad I was made aware of this amazing organization and the varied services it offers.

In 2019, most of Wellspring programs and services were in-house, so living in Canmore, I didn’t venture into the city unless I had appointments. Now, Wellspring has many online options, so it has opened the community up to people in more rural areas, which, though not in person, can be equally as impactful.

I attended a Look Good Feel Better workshop that took place at Wellspring’s centre, which was helpful, as not only were you shown how to create an illusion of having eyelashes, it helped us create a facial focus to shift our vision away from the bald head; even though I was told I had a lovely shaped head, no one really wants to hear that. But, oddly, sitting in a room with strangers and doing something so personal felt so comfortable, as we were all in the same boat … we had cancer. We knew there was no judgement about how we looked, and we all understood how each other felt. Friends can try to understand, but only those who are ‘in it’ really know how we are feeling.

This is why I feel information about Wellspring needs to be out there; so that others who have cancer, can spend time with people who can relate to how they are feeling and what they are going through. Whether people choose to join a yoga program, an art class, an exercise program, or one of the many information sessions, everyone needs to know this is available in-person and online, and even better – it’s free of charge.

I have only ever been to Carma House, but I know that when you walk through the Wellspring door you are made to feel very welcome. It’s a place you can take programs, or hang out in the library or garden … do whatever you feel you need in an environment that is welcoming and relaxing.

I tend to prefer being outside, so I signed up for Wellspring’s cross-country skiing lessons at Canmore Nordic Centre. Even though I already knew how to ski, the lessons were so helpful and I had the best time participating. Meeting others who were all at different stages in their journey and observing their energy levels was good for me … a sign that it was normal to be feeling so tired and I might need some time to regain my energy.

We all know that going somewhere new or signing up for a new program can be daunting, but believe me, it’s so worth it!

Post cancer, I signed up to be a volunteer for Wellspring – my way of giving back. Unfortunately, working full time does not allow me to do as much as I would like to do, but I try to get the word out every chance I get. Living and working in the medical field in Canmore gives me the advantage of being able to share my knowledge and personal experience with cancer, as well as distributing Wellspring brochures and posters throughout the town.

The Wellspring logo has the colour green in it, which equals ‘go’ … so please ‘go’ spread the word, and help other cancer patients and their families find the support they need at Wellspring.