As I navigate this Journey with Cancer, I know I will do it my own WAY, and I have some Role Models in my Life to help Guide me.
My mother, known affectionately to family and friends as Tussy and professionally as Dr. Nett, was an accomplished physician. She dedicated the early years of her career—thirteen in total—to working as a Radiation Oncologist, treating cancer patients at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton. Later, she became a pioneer in women’s health by co-founding the Breast Center in Edmonton. This center was the first in the area to offer mammograms, ultrasound services, and early screening and detection consultations all in one location.
In 2006, my mother began her own journey with cancer when a pulmonary node was discovered growing in her lungs. She underwent surgery to remove it and, remarkably, traveled to Europe just six weeks after her operation. As she approached the five-year survival milestone, her lung cancer returned, requiring another surgery. Then, in 2012, the illness came back once more. The third and final surgery removed most of one of her lungs, and from then on, she needed supplemental oxygen.
What stands out most to me about my mother’s approach to her cancer journey was her unwavering stoicism. She never complained about her situation. Even while hospitalized, she continued to teach, guiding student nurses and showing them how to properly perform palpations. That dedication to helping others learn and grow—despite her own illness—is what I remember most. She remained a doctor at heart, always offering wisdom and support to those willing to listen