Jim Turner: Wellspring is the reason I am still alive today

Anyone who has visited Wellspring’s Birmingham Gilgan house over the past 18 years has likely met Wellspring volunteer Jim Turner.

With a charisma and warmth that makes anyone feel at ease in his presence, he holds a special place in the hearts of those who know him, including Wellspring’s Associate of Mission Delivery, Susy Borges. “Jim exemplifies the essence of volunteerism, and he is always there to lend a hand with a gracious heart. We are so grateful to have him on our team!” she says.

Starting as a volunteer support driver back in the early 2000s and taking on multiple volunteer roles over the years, Jim has touched countless lives in the Oakville community. The best thing is, he does it because he loves it. “People often ask me if it’s depressing, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Everyone supports and uplifts each other at Wellspring. Yes, there can be a mix of emotions, but there is actually a lot of laughter, too,” he says.

Typically, Wellspring volunteers have a connection to cancer, whether they have had it themselves or have cared for someone with cancer. It helps members to feel understood. From the outside, you wouldn’t know that cancer has long been a part of Jim’s life—but he was first diagnosed 19 years ago.

After visiting the doctor for an unrelated issue, doctors discovered a small isolated enlarged lymph node in Jim’s neck, and a series of tests confirmed he had a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma called stage 1 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. He was required to undergo chemotherapy and radiation, which Jim successfully completed. Although he knew about Wellspring through his wife, Shelley, he didn’t feel ready to become a member. Instead, he used his firsthand experience to volunteer.

Although the fear of recurrence was ever-present, doctors were confident they wouldn’t see Jim again. He spent 15 years in remission, and every year, he was getting better and better. So, when he received news 16 years later that his cancer had returned, he was equally shocked and devastated.

Eventually, his whole face and neck swelled up from the enlarged lymph nodes. “I looked like a chipmunk with a mouth full of food,” he says. He knew it was bad, and the aggressive stem cell treatment took a huge toll on his physical and mental health. “I was fatigued; I had memory issues and balance issues; I couldn’t drive or concentrate. Honestly, I couldn’t see a way forward for myself,” he says.

But this time was different. After 18 years of supporting others with cancer as a volunteer, Jim was ready for his own support. So, momentarily, he hung up his volunteer hat to step into the role he most needed at the time—a Wellspring member. “I knew what Wellspring could do for me, and it was just there, waiting in the wings,” he says.

Finding stillness

Jim signed up for Relaxation and Visualization, Cancer-Related Fatigue, and Reiki to help with his fear of recurrence—which was more intense this time around. “Typically, I keep busy to distract myself from these negative thoughts. But in quiet moments, they can resurface, and I now use all the techniques I have learnt to identify when they appear so I can pause, relax, and take myself to a different place. These calming measures help me take the stress away,” he says.

Jim’s family recently welcomed two new granddaughters into the world. “I even use these relaxation techniques when holding the babies because they allow me to be present and calm,” he says.

Because it benefits his mental health, Jim sets aside time daily to sit down with no noise, close his eyes, and relax. “All these programs help my mental health in one way or another. Partially because it takes your mind off the cancer, but they also teach you new ways to approach and deal with your cancer,” he says.

Regaining physical health

Stem cell treatment uses a form of high-dose chemotherapy – which is approximately ten times the dose of regular chemotherapy. Because of this, Jim was in bad shape after leaving the hospital. “Physically, I felt as low as I could get. I had a lot of issues with mobility, from the many procedures in my neck, and difficulty with my upper body and arm movement,” he says.

From experience volunteering and seeing how positively it impacted other members, Jim knew the best thing he could do was join Wellspring’s Cancer Exercise Program. “My progression through the program and what I could do after it was life-changing. Mentally, it boosted my confidence, and physically, I could walk upstairs again. All my energy and balance came back – it was the catalyst to get me going again,” he says.

Jim recalls how the program leaders and members helped to keep him motivated. “Another member told me I inspired her, but I told her that she was the one who inspired me. Everyone is like a family, and it’s such a confidence boost – seeing how far everyone progresses from day one to the end of the program,” he says.

The lack of balance was particularly frustrating for Jim. Even tasks as simple as putting on clothing in the morning proved difficult. Jim says both the Cancer Exercise Program and Chair Yoga helped him to balance again. “They had me lifting weights on a bosu ball, which was hard at the start, but in the end, I could do it! I also learned a lot from Chair Yoga – it is great for my balance, mobility, joint health, flexibility, and upper body strength,” he says.

Wellspring fills the gap

After cancer treatment and throughout remission, Jim felt like he was in limbo, but luckily, he knew about Wellspring’s support. He says others may feel like they are in a Neverland where they don’t know what to do or who to turn to. People with cancer receive treatment and care from the hospital, and then it ends, but their physical and emotional scars are still present. “Wellspring fills the gap in healthcare with all the support mechanisms that either aren’t available or are too expensive to afford – and Wellspring is free of charge,” he says.

According to Jim, his sister summed up Wellspring best when she made a generous donation. “In her donation, she wrote that she believed that the support of Wellspring and my wife Shelley was why I am still in their lives today,” he says.

A message to Wellspring’s supporters

Wellspring wouldn’t be possible without its supporters. It isn’t government or hospital funded and relies solely on generous donations from the public. Over the past 18 years, Jim has witnessed firsthand the incredible impact these donations have on the lives of people around Canada—including himself.

“The contribution that Wellspring supporters make to a member’s life and the lives of their family members is immeasurable. I don’t even know all the people who support Wellspring, but they are just as important as the doctors who gave me treatment. They are a part of my care team and are in my direct circle of care. Wellspring wouldn’t exist without them, and they fill such a void.

“I think many people who donate to a charity or volunteer don’t really know the difference they are making, but it’s such a huge difference. Without the Wellspring supporters, I couldn’t have this vital care. I think about everyone involved in my care, including the supporters, donors, and volunteers who have taken me to where I am today. I may never know or meet them, but they are there for me,” he says.

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