Musical highs, health lows for West Islander
News of major teaching award came as she was about to undergo cancer surgery
Seeing myself with only one breast really drove home what I had been through. My teaching kept me sane.
A mix of steely determination, dedication and decisiveness has helped West Islander Tracey Steele navigate a year both difficult and delightful. On Sept. 19, the 50-year-old aerobics instructor, prize-winning body builder and owner of the Tracey Steele Music Academy in Roxboro was rolled into the operating room for double-mastectomy surgery. Grim under the best of circumstances. However, in Steele’s case, the stress was mitigated somewhat by some very welcome news. Two days before the surgery, Steele was informed she was the recipient of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s 2018 Teacher of Distinction Award. “I was at the gym when I heard. I just started crying,” Steele said. “They asked what size of gown I would need (for the ceremony) and how many tickets. They needed a biography and a head shot. It was a great distraction. It made me feel like everything was going to be OK.” After the double mastectomy, Steele tucked two drainage devices attached to her post-surgery upper body under the full skirt of a cocktail dress and attended a best friend’s wedding. Down time isn’t her thing. The very brief time Steele was ordered to rest at home — two weeks in total — she continued to coach piano students over the phone. There were a couple of glitches to contend with during her recovery. Sudden onset pain in her left foot resulted in a hospital visit and, because she persisted, an ultra-sound. A potentially dangerous blood clot was discovered. And only one breast construction was done during the operation. Because the left side of the chest had been through a lumpectomy, radiation and a mastectomy, the tissue was fragile. That reconstruction was done at a later date and was very painful. “Seeing myself with only one breast really drove home what I had been through,” Steele said. “My teaching (at the academy) kept me sane.” Over the years, multiple TSM Academy students have won Royal Conservatory of Music gold medals. This year’s recipient is 50-yearold actuary Stéphane Brodeur. He received the highest grade for the Level 7 exam in Quebec. Exams weren’t in Brodeur’s game plan, but Steele coaxed him out of his comfort zone. There are 10 RCM exam levels which normally take years of study to complete. Brodeur jumped the queue and began at Level 7. Everything about Steele’s lifestyle and family health history pointed to an extremely low risk for cancer. So when she itched a tiny bump while watching television one night five years ago, she thought it was a mosquito bite. But it was May and too early for mosquitos. She went to a private clinic — there was a six-month wait in the public system — and filled in a questionnaire that placed her in the 99.9 low-risk percentile. The mammogram came back negative. An ultrasound showed a cyst, but it looked benign. She insisted the doctor take a closer look. A biopsy was done. It was cancer. She underwent a lumpectomy, followed by radiation treatment five days a week for six weeks. “I don’t do drugs or smoke. I eat healthily and am active,” Steele said. “There is no history of cancer in my family. Early detection saved my life. Make sure the doctor listens to you when you have a concern.” Five years of good checkups later, Steele felt more lumps in the left breast. One lump was removed, but the margins were iffy, so the doctor wanted to go back in and take more tissue. “At that point I said no. It’s time for a double mastectomy,” Steele said. “I wanted to take every step necessary while I still had the power to direct my story.” Steele said the health care she received at every stage was exemplary. Her doctor listened when she asked for a double mastectomy and Steele is thankful she made the call. A growth was detected in the right breast during post-surgery analysis. Results are pending. Her high level of physical fitness has helped with recovery, as has the support of husband, family, friends and students. “Courage does not mean we can’t have fun,” Steele said of her cheerful approach to life. “It means we don’t let fear guide us.” The TSM Academy Christmas concert is at Collège Beaubois in Pierrefonds, Dec. 15. For information, call 514-684-8762 or visit www.tsmacademy.com.