Despite her life-altering cancer diagnosis, Doreen Pinto still finds a reason to be grateful every day. She calls this practice her \u201cattitude of gratitude.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI shared this with my Peer Support Group at Wellspring and one member said \u2018STOP\u2014I need to write this down!\u2019\u201d Doreen laughs.<\/p>\n
Doreen first discovered she had breast cancer through a routine mammogram in August 2022. After reviewing the results, the hospital called Doreen back for an ultrasound, which was followed by a biopsy.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why when Doreen visited the surgeon post-biopsy, she mentally prepared for bad news. \u201cSure enough, the surgeon said it was breast cancer, three tumors in my breast\u2014which meant I needed a mastectomy.\u201d Doreen was booked in for surgery one month later.<\/p>\n
Being psychologically prepared for the surgery helped Doreen deal with the diagnosis. She says she always had thick skin, but since the diagnosis she had developed a certain stoicism\u2014 something that even the surgeon was surprised by.<\/p>\n
After her successful mastectomy, Doreen sought connection with others who had been on a similar journey to her. She knew of Wellspring through former colleagues who had been members, and had spoken positively of their experience. This led to her decision to give it a try.<\/p>\n
Doreen initially contacted Wellspring to speak to a Peer Support volunteer who had also undergone a mastectomy. \u201cThe volunteer was amazing. She said if I had the time and energy, that I should come for a tour. So, I did, and immediately signed up to become a Wellspring member,\u201d Doreen says.<\/p>\n
The many in-centre programs intrigued Doreen, who initially signed up for the Relaxation and Visualization program. She reflects on how this program, above all else, helped her to feel connected with others.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough I live alone, attending this program showed me I wasn\u2019t alone in my journey. It was an excellent group, and everyone was so supportive of each other; giving helpful hints and coping mechanisms. It was nice to know that other people felt the same as me,\u201d Doreen says.<\/p>\n
To get her creative juices flowing again, Doreen signed up for the Music Program \u2013 which she loved.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always been a creative person, but I was so inspired after the Wellspring Music Program, that I went home, and I wrote a song about cancer. I put it to the melody of John Lennon\u2019s \u2018Imagine\u2019 \u2013 I put it to the melody of John Lennon\u2019s \u2018Imagine\u2019 \u2013 it\u2019s called \u201cA World Without Cancer\u201d. The next time I had a Music Program session, I shared it with the group and asked them all to help me sing the song, and we all sang my song together at Wellspring,\u201d Doreen says.<\/p>\n
It has been over a year since Doreen was diagnosed with breast cancer. And every day that passes, she makes sure to appreciate.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t take anything for granted anymore. I wake up every morning and say to myself, \u2018thank you God for another day and allow me to use this day as best as I can.\u2019 I believe in counting my blessings and having the cancer experience magnified this for me. It allowed me to see all in my life that is good,\u201d Doreen says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my attitude of gratitude!\u201d<\/p>\n