On a chilly overcast April morning in Grande Prairie, Joline feels immensely grateful to know she has a Wellspring Alberta yoga program waiting for her at the nearby Rooted Heart Yoga and Art Studio.
“I woke up feeling quite anxious this morning; my mood was grey like the sky,” said Joline. “But then I thought about going to yoga and even just thinking about being with other people in a room where I can be myself – no expectations, no right or wrong – it helped me so much; something to look forward to,” she said.
Before Wellspring launched programs in Grande Prairie in November of 2025, there wasn’t much in the way of cancer support offered in the small northwestern Alberta city. But as Joline can attest, the need is great, and Wellspring meeting that need has made all the difference in her world.
“No one can prepare you for the mental challenges that come with cancer. It’s huge. You need the support of others who understand,” she said. “I tell people, doctors saved my physical self, but Wellspring saved my life,” she said.
At age 45, Joline was a busy business owner, dividing her time between work and family when she was diagnosed with melanoma. Like many, she felt blindsided.
Prior to that point, Joline’s life path was paved with turbulence and adversity, including teen motherhood, a son born with a life-threatening disease, the loss of a husband to suicide, and a devastating car accident. But it was when she was on her feet, happily remarried, kids launched, running a thriving business, that life put cancer in her path, an obstacle she felt ill equipped to deal with.
“It’s crazy how hard it hit me. I have coped with so many challenges in my life, and I’ve always been a person who could get through anything. I’ve also been there for everyone else; my kids, my parents, my husband, grandkids, but when it came to me, I had no idea how to be there for me,” she said
It was about six weeks after surgery, and the healing was taking much longer than Joline was led to believe it would take. “I had all this idle time and I’m not used to that at all. I like to be busy. Spending day after day alone with my thoughts, I started to spiral. I hit rock bottom,” she said.
Then she remembered learning about Wellspring at the Grande Prairie Cancer Centre. She made a call and along with a referral for counselling, she was invited to join Wellspring Alberta’s online support programs and guided to the in-person Cancer Connect program in her area.
“I love the Cancer Connect program. No one understands cancer like other people going through it. At this group you don’t feel abnormal. You don’t feel crazy for having these fears and anxieties. People listen and make suggestions – ways to help you cope. Your feelings are validated. And it means so much to not feel so alone,” she said.
Joline joined Wellspring online as well, signing up for a meditation class and the Healing Journey program.
“I did the first level of Healing Journey and it was very informative and helpful. It gives the science behind cancer and offers some ways to calm yourself. I’ve been in a fight or flight state for quite some time and this helped settle me. I always felt better after the sessions. I’m really looking forward to taking the next level of Healing Journey,” she said.
More recently when Wellspring launched yoga, its second in-person program in Grande Prairie, Joline was delighted to add these sessions to her weekly routine.
“I’ve just been to one yoga class so far, but I can already tell it is going to be really beneficial for my nervous system. I am really looking forward to going every week for the next eight weeks. It will help me be calm and present. I need that in my life,” she said.
Less than a year after her diagnosis, Joline has been given a prognosis referred to as NED, meaning there is currently ‘no evidence of disease’ in her body. While she feels elated about this news, there are still days where underlying fears creep into her psyche, and though her husband and family are tremendously supportive, leaning into Wellspring helps her return to her centre of gravity.
“The sense of community at Wellspring has changed my life. I love knowing that once a month, and now once a week too, I can look forward to dedicating time just for me and the journey I’ve been on. Being with people who understand and care is really important. Sometimes you just need someone to listen, and even though they can’t fix you, you feel better sharing what you’re feeling. In a Wellspring group you always feel seen and heard.”
One Response
Thank you so much for sharing your story Joline, I know it will resonate with so many. Your outlook and positivity is admirable and it’s been such a pleasure getting to know you since the launch in November.