When Linda Sutherland was diagnosed with breast cancer in her late 50s, her younger daughter made her a sticker for her water bottle that said: \u201cI never knew what bravery was until I saw it in my mom.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bravery is seemly a fitting word for a woman who has had her share of difficulties in life, and somehow finds a way to meet challenges with a measure of calmness, practicality and courage. Her special power is rolling with the punches, and cancer was not the first mountainous blow Linda had a tangle with.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy grandmother died suddenly at the age of 57. My mom, the eldest daughter, was 32 at the time, and I was nine years old, I was the eldest granddaughter.<\/p>\n
Twenty-three years later, my mom died suddenly at the age of 57. At that time, I was 32, the eldest daughter, and the eldest granddaughter in our family was nine years old.<\/p>\n
So, when I was 57, and, if you can believe it, my eldest daughter was 32 \u2026 of course this whole life death thing was on my mind. At that time there was no granddaughter in the picture, but still, when I made it through my 57th<\/sup> year, I was definitely relieved \u2013 I felt very fortunate to be here,\u201d Linda shares.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t until she was 59, and had recently retired from her career as a respiratory therapist, that Linda was diagnosed with cancer.<\/p>\n \u201cI found a lump in my breast and found out it was cancer. Because I had very fibrous breasts, I had experienced many biopsies, but when this one was cancer, I decided to have both breasts removed and have reconstructive surgery at the same time,\u201d she said. \u201cThe hardest part about having cancer was telling people \u2013 especially my two daughters. I had no idea I was so private until cancer; I really didn\u2019t want to tell people. I hated having my daughters worried about me \u2013 or themselves \u2013 I made sure to reassure them this type of breast cancer is not genetic.\u201d<\/p>\n At the time of diagnosis, Linda had just one grandson, Matteo, and her daughter was pregnant with a second grandson who was due around the same time Linda was booked for surgery in November. She also had a third grandchild who was due shortly before Christmas.<\/p>\n \u201cThe timing of it all was very concerning since I really didn\u2019t want cancer to interfere with my bonding with these new grandbabies,\u201d said Linda. With limited strength and range of motion, she knew she would be advised not to pick up and hold little ones. \u201cKnowing how much this meant to me, my daughter spoke to her physician and was able to bump up her C-section so I got some days to bond with little Leo before my surgery,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Soon after Linda had her double mastectomy, her first granddaughter, Fraya arrived; now Linda had three precious incentives for healing as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cRecovery didn\u2019t seem so terrible at the time \u2013 my husband was very helpful,\u201d she said. \u201cLooking back now, I see that it was a pretty tough healing time, but I was in the mindset – it is what it is, just get through it. What mattered was being well so I could spend time with my family.\u201d<\/p>\n Now, coming up to her five-year anniversary since cancer, Linda has had many bonding hours with her precious grandchildren, and she has her sights set on many more.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m here, I\u2019m well and I\u2019m 64 now. All things considered, I feel very fortunate \u2026 truly, this whole journey, cancer included, has had so many crazy amazing moments. I really have been so fortunate,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Just before surgery, Linda found her way to Wellspring and toured Carma House. \u201cIt was so warm and welcoming, right away I thought, \u2018this is the place to be; we are all in the same boat\u2019,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n After surgery she signed up for yoga, and many more programs, such as numerous art programs, including Creative Journaling, Watercolour, Art Sampling, Open Art Studio, and even Adventures in Art, which she recently attended online with her oldest grandson, Matteo.<\/p>\n \u201cWellspring opened up my passion for art and creativity, but I actually loved all the programs, it didn\u2019t matter what it was. Wellspring programs gave me purpose, and I just loved being with all the people and learning,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n In Creative Journaling, Linda made a page showing the dramatic pattern of ages and early deaths in her family history. This brought her a sense of peace and reconciliation.<\/p>\n \u201cI just can\u2019t say enough about Wellspring – it\u2019s amazing. People\u2019s needs are different when it comes to cancer, but I think Wellspring has something for everyone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n In the coming months, Linda says she hopes to volunteer at Wellspring \u2013 her way of giving back and helping others with a journey she understands \u2026 a challenge she learned to roll with.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Bravery is seemly a fitting word for a woman who has had her share of difficulties in life, and somehow finds a way to meet challenges with a measure of calmness, practicality and courage. Her special power is rolling with the punches, and cancer was not the first mountainous blow Linda had a tangle with.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7996,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"location":[],"class_list":["post-7805","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-member-story"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Wellspring Factor<\/h3>\n