Young wife, teacher shares her experience of breast cancer

I just kept saying, “I don’t want to die. I just don’t want to die. I will do anything.” My name is Amy Semple. I am a high school teacher in the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. And I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32. For many years, I had been doing self-checks in memory of a friend who lost her life at 24 years old to breast cancer. One night, just before bed, I found a lump. Two weeks later, I had a formal diagnosis. I had breast cancer. After that initial appointment, my husband and I drove home in silence. It was this glorious, bright sunny day. But I couldn’t hear a thing. It was by far the worst day of my life. Fortunately, I had access to expert, world-class cancer care close to home at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC). I remember vividly walking into the Breast Assessment Centre the first day. I quickly realized how many different areas of the hospital are used by a cancer patient. It is unbelievable the magnitude of tests that they have to run to support your survival. Donations from our community through events like the Dragon Boat Festival ensure that patients like me get fast, accurate cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment. This year’s festival runs on Saturday as 68 community, junior, competitive and breast cancer survivor teams face off in an exciting display of Dragon Boat racing on Little Lake. Over the years, this festival has raised more than $3.1 million and this year’s goal is $188,000 - all supporting the worldclass breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment here at home at the PRHC. Having PRHC and the Breast Assessment Centre close to me was immensely important. I had my surgery there for my mastectomy, four rounds of chemo to ensure no cells remained, my MRI, my CT scans – all in one building. We have great equipment and we’re getting even better state-of-the-art equipment all the time. During that year, my emotions ranged from bad-ass fighter to broken woman. In the confines of my home, there was a point when I said I couldn’t take it anymore. I confided in my husband that I didn’t want to do any more treatment. I did continue with treatment, but this is just an example of how this disease and treatment can break someone. Thankfully, I had the support of the Cancer Care Centre and Breast Assessment Centre at PRHC. It was second to none. Each person I encountered was better than the last. Even my husband and parents were treated with care and compassion by the staff. I could not have asked for better care. I go back every year for an MRI, as well as a mammogram. We keep an eye on it, but because it was stage one, it looks like I should have a good prognosis to live a long and healthy life. I’m more than a survivor of breast cancer. I’m a wife, friend, daughter, granddaughter, nature-lover, bird-nerd, mom to a fur-baby and travel enthusiast. So I want to say thank you to everyone who supports the Festival every year – you’ve helped give me many more years as that person.

Visit www.prhcfoundation.ca to watch Amy’s powerful story on video. To support patients like Amy, go to ptbodragonboat.ca and sponsor a paddler or team, or make a donation to this year’s event.