The day Bob Taylor learned he had cancer was not the worst day of his life. The worst day was three years earlier in February of 2015 when he lost his son Chris, at age 37, to Leukemia. Bob and his wife Debbie suffered several losses during that time, including Bob\u2019s mother and both of Debbie\u2019s parents. Yet somehow, the pair managed to pull themselves together and find the courage to face Bob\u2019s own cancer battle that began as a tumour in his kidney in 2018.<\/p>\n
\u201cHearing the doctor say you have cancer is a terrible feeling. But I really felt bad for my wife who was standing next to me. I will always remember Debbie saying so sadly, \u2018Oh No\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
After losing Chris, Bob and Debbie left Ottawa and moved to Cochrane to be near their daughter who was expecting their first grandchild. This change brought relief and joy, as they celebrated the arrival of their healthy granddaughter and found new friends in the welcoming community.<\/p>\n
With Bob\u2019s cancer diagnosis came surgery to remove a kidney. After full recovery, some spots showed up in his bladder, requiring further treatments and regular ongoing testing. Bob continues with testing and may need more treatment should there be further detection of tumours.<\/p>\n
It was at one of his hospital visits that Bob picked up a Wellspring brochure.<\/p>\n
\u201cI called the number and I was amazed how friendly they were, everyone at Wellspring was so open and kind,\u201d said Bob.<\/p>\n
Bob and Debbie signed up for some one-on-one grief sessions and then joined Wellspring\u2019s bi-weekly Thursdays with Bob* program. Both found Bob Glasgow profoundly helpful and they gained strength and comfort in the circle of sharing.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter that I used the Wellspring library, took their golf lessons and fly fishing, did outdoor pole walking, took an art class, and we came to some speakers who talked about things related to cancer,\u201d said Bob.<\/p>\n
\u201cI found it all tremendously helpful, and I really love that there are programs for caregivers too. As a cancer patient, it\u2019s just as important to me that they take care of Debbie.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now that the pandemic has temporarily closed centres, Bob sees tremendous value in joining Wellspring\u2019s online community. He has signed up for exercise, art, food and nutrition, and various other programs that he can easily participate in from the comforts of home.<\/p>\n
\u201cLiving outside the city, there are days with cancer and treatment where you just want to stay home. I think it\u2019s great that I\u2019m in these programs with people from all over the province,\u201d said Bob. \u201cAnd another thing, yes they are programs to help you deal with cancer, but in fact, taking these programs can actually help to take your mind off cancer. And as a cancer patient, I can tell you that at times it\u2019s very difficult to push cancer to the back of your mind.\u201d<\/p>\n