Last December, when Tiffany Morin joined a drum-making workshop, she crafted her drum handle in a Cree style that embodied her unwavering determination to reclaim her future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI chose to use elk hide, which, on the Medicine Wheel symbolizes the East direction \u2026 a new beginning \u2026 a way of being hopeful, I guess,\u201d she said, proudly holding up her drum and turning it over to reveal its beautifully woven handle.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I was lacing the elk hide to the cedar frame, I was thinking about all the community connections I have in my life \u2026 feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for all the support I have received.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tiffany was living her best life; eyes trained on a bright future that included vibrant friendships, community involvement, volunteering, and aiming to teach in her chosen profession of recreation therapy; when, four days before starting grad school, she was diagnosed with cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just so shocking. All my blood work had been fine. There was just this small mass on my ovary that my gynecologist thought was benign. She said we could keep watching it, or I could have it removed laparoscopically,\u201d said Tiffany. She chose the latter, never dreaming that at age 38, she\u2019d hear the words, \u201cYou have ovarian cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the days that followed, Tiffany deferred her entrance to the master\u2019s program in Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary and found herself at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, where her newly appointed oncology team ran tests and opted to perform a second debulking surgery to ensure the mass was fully removed and to test the surrounding areas.<\/p>\n
Six months later, tests showed Tiffany was in the clear, and just like that, she was referred back to her gynecologist for twice-yearly checkups that would include blood work and ultrasounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was elated! Back to living my best self!\u201d She said, highlighting a special trip she took with her partner, spending time with friends, hiking, music festivals \u2026 all the good stuff.<\/p>\n
Tiffany went back to her long-time job as a recreation therapist at the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre in Calgary, and in the Fall of 2019, she resumed her quest for her master\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n
In January 2022, while preparing to defend her thesis, Tiffany went for her six-month checkup, and when the pelvic ultrasound was taking longer than usual, she had a feeling that the cancer was back.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was so weird, I had absolutely no symptoms, I felt fine. I was happy and excited about finishing school,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
But more tests and scans revealed new tumors throughout her abdomen, hence, four years after her first cancer diagnosis, Tiffany was back in her oncologist\u2019s office. This time she asked more questions and she doubled down on her support networks.<\/p>\n
\u201cI learned that only two- to four- percent of women have this type of ovarian cancer. I found a Facebook group – not a big group, but a strong group of women from all over the world who have this cancer,\u201d she said. \u201cThere was comfort in knowing that lots have survived – many living well for 30 or 40 years.\u201d<\/p>\n
In March of 2022, Tiffany underwent major surgery to remove all tumours and perform a hysterectomy. After some recovery time in hospital, she learned that chemotherapy would follow, hence she was once again forced to take medical leave from her job and delay her studies.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy first chemo treatment was really rough. I had a severe anaphylactic reaction to one of the drugs. I felt like I couldn\u2019t breathe. It was one of the scariest things I\u2019ve ever been through,\u201d she said. In the aftermath Tiffany ended up at Emergency with dehydration, diarrhea, vomiting and a full body rash.<\/p>\n
When the allergic reaction during her second round of chemo was worse than the first, Tiffany turned to her Facebook group for input on their experiences, and learned that there is a chemotherapy drug that is costly and not easily accessible, but most women tolerate it better than other drugs. She went to her oncology team with a request to try the alternative drug, and after an extensive approval process, her request was granted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI tolerated this chemo so much better. Don\u2019t get me wrong \u2013 it still came with all the side effects – hair loss, intense pain, neuropathy, nausea, but I got through it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
It was during chemo that Tiffany learned about Wellspring and decided to sign up for some programs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis community became one of many that was very important to me during this difficult time. I enjoyed qigong, creative journaling, and a mindfulness program that I loved so much \u2013 it was such a great help in getting me through my chemo treatments,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Tiffany also joined Wellspring\u2019s Indigenous Cancer Sharing Circle, a program connecting Indigenous cancer patients and caregivers in a monthly session co-led by an Elder. Being M\u00e9tis and Cree, she found solace in the rituals and practices shared in the group.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really like the Indigenous Cancer Sharing Circle \u2013 I try to make it every month. I am so grateful to meet others who approach things in a bit of a different way \u2026 for example ceremonies, traditions, reference to \u2018source\u2019 \u2026 I feel comfortable in this group,\u201d said Tiffany, adding that she also meets with an Indigenous connection circle through the University of Calgary.<\/p>\n
Tiffany has also connected with Elder Doreen Spence, who she met through the university. She deeply values her relationship with \u201cGrandmother Doreen\u201d and she attends her sweat lodge near Bragg Creek. \u201cShe\u2019s a force! She\u2019s a remarkable activist for Indigenous people, and she got the Order of Canada last year. I\u2019m so lucky to know her,\u201d said Tiffany.<\/p>\n
Invariably, Tiffany echoes the importance of weaving communities of support in all aspects of her life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a lot of good people in my life who help sustain me. I couldn\u2019t do all that I do without them,\u201d she said, tearing up. \u201cMy family, friends, my Indigenous groups, Wellspring, Ovarian Cancer Canada, Facebook groups, workmates, my school community \u2026 these connections keep me going,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In January 2023, Tiffany gladly returned to school, and in April she successfully defended her thesis. At her convocation at the end of May, she received her Master of Science degree and at a special UCalgary Indigenous convocation in June, she received a special surprise \u2013 the Dr. Olive Dickason Award.<\/p>\n
This special honour is awarded to an Indigenous student who met the challenges of adversity and overcame overwhelming circumstances to graduate. Tiffany was both deserving and deeply moved.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just so grateful for all the good things that have happened to me. I try to reach out to others to help them see that it can be okay, living with cancer. \u00a0I\u2019ve had so many meaningful moments \u2013 so many amazing people \u2013 such a strong community of kindness and support,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Today is a new day, and while her oncologist is keeping a watchful eye on another small cluster of tumours in her abdomen, Tiffany is moving forward with hope and optimism.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis time last year, I could barely walk. This year, I attended Stampede, signed up to volunteer again at the Calgary and Canmore Folk Festivals, and one of these days I\u2019ll get back to some backcountry hiking,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
With the East direction on the Medicine Wheel holding steady in focus, Tiffany keeps right on rising.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been quite a journey, but I\u2019m young, I\u2019m strong, I\u2019m pretty healthy, I\u2019m active, and so many good things have happened. I\u2019m choosing to be hopeful,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The real kicker is the offer she accepted for a new job teaching Recreation Therapy at University of Lethbridge.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started in July and I\u2019m really excited to work with students this fall. This was a dream of mine\u2026 now it\u2019s happening!\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tiffany found vital support in Wellspring’s programs during her chemotherapy, including qigong, journaling, and Indigenous Cancer Sharing Circle. She completed her master’s degree with honors and remains optimistic about the future, embracing an active lifestyle and a new teaching role at the University of Lethbridge.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9084,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[132,7],"tags":[],"location":[],"class_list":["post-9060","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-indigenous","category-member-story"],"yoast_head":"\n