Laura Rouse

Lets Lick Leukemia
 

I was very healthy. I had completed half marathons, and still playing sports. I had done a workout the morning I was diagnosed.
I had noticed bruising that was suspicious and when they showed up on my hands the morning of my diagnosis, I knew that was the day more had to be done. I went to see my doctor (I was living in Lindsay, ON at the time). My doctor then sent me to Lakeridge Cancer Centre in Oshawa (my current City) and then that doctor told me I need to go directly to the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). I was with my mom and the doctor said I couldn’t drive there myself; she would need to do so – that was a joke between us!

I met with hematologist Dr. Andre Schuh who was wonderful – funny and very approachable. That night I was diagnosed with APL (acute promylocytic leukemia). I started chemo immediately and also had a blood transfusion that night. Dr. Schuh calls me his “Friday Night Special” because this had all happened after hours at PMH. My mother later nominated Dr. Schuh for a Humanitarian Award at PMH and he was the successful recipient and well deserved!

At the time of diagnosis, I was the primary caregiver of my two children who were back in Lindsay. I was in treatment for 9 months and my only focus was to get well again.

Being away from home and my children was definitely the biggest challenge. Living at the PM Lodge (for patients in active treatment living outside the GTA) for 7 of 9 months of treatment was also tough. Thankfully my parents alternated between looking after me and helping care for my children. Thankfully my kids were young enough at the time that they had a great time with whomever was caring for them and even got a trip to BC with their paternal Grandparents. They were too young to fully understand the severity of my diagnosis. I also accepted volunteer drives through the Canadian Cancer Society to get me back and forth from Lindsay.I also wasn’t ready to read the “big binder” of research that I received. It was overwhelming and I just wanted to do whatever it took to get better. I did feel very lucky to be so close to home that I could at least go home on weekends. I also felt lucky to live so close, and to have access to, a world renowned hospital.

I had heard about LLSC while in treatment but was too overwhelmed to make this connection while I was in treatment. I felt a bit removed from the LLSC because I lived in a rural area (Lindsay) and I saw LLSC was based in Toronto and couldn’t make any more appointments. I did feel like I was supported through other agencies at the time. As I finished my journey, I wanted to give back and made a decision to do more fundraising with a direct focus on leukemia. I “googled” and found the LLSC and the Light The Night campaign and it seemed like a great fit.

I loved the performances and how organized it was. I also liked having the different coloured lanterns representing; a supporter, a survivor and those we were walking in memory of. When we all lifted our lanterns to “Light the Night”, it was very touching and so emotional. I think it is important to honour those who aren’t as fortunate (in memory) and didn’t get to have the same fate as I. I walked for them that evening. The connections we make in treatment are so important and this event gives us a chance to reflect back on our journeys.

Research and education are the key to finding a cure. Early detection and intervention are of utmost importance. The community needs to rally around the cause because we are worth it.

I was once the person seeing people get to their milestone appointments “come back in 6 months, 1 year”, and then I got there and now fully discharged. We are worth the investment. Do not give up hope, you will get there too!