Breast cancer survivor shares her story

By Joan Janzen

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, a former Kindersley/Coleville resident stepped forward to share her personal story. This month is a time to champion cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and support, and the following story addresses all those topics.

Donna Jacobson resided in both the communities of Kindersley and Coleville while raising her young family. She now calls Kelowna, BC her home, and was enthusiastic about sharing her personal account as a breast cancer survivor.

Donna Jacobson is a former resident of both Kindersley and Coleville, who now resides in Kelowna, B.C. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. This photo was taken after her hair grew back following treatments. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Her journey began in 2016 when she first detected a small lump in her right breast. She immediately went to see her doctor, who said it was nothing of concern.

“I ended up having three mammograms,” she said. “Each time, the lump was getting bigger, but it was reported as nothing. They told me it was probably just fat tissue.” But deep inside, Donna said she knew it was more than just ‘nothing.’

In 2019, she switched doctors and was asked what was her primary concern. She told them her main concern was the lump, which continued to grow. In fact, it was starting to protrude so she could visually see it. But once again, when the doctors checked it out, it didn’t show up as anything cancerous.

As the lump grew, so did Donna’s concerns. The doctors scheduled an ultrasound; however, the technicians reported it didn’t look like anything.

“I had three friends who had had breast cancer, and they all said the same thing; I had to be persistent,” Donna said. “My friend told me I had to press for a biopsy because she had gone through the same thing and ended up with a positive result.”

Donna’s persistence paid off, and a biopsy was done. Within a few days of receiving the results, she got a phone call. “The doctor said you need to get in here right away because it’s positive,” she said. That was in February of 2019.

“Through all of this, my first reaction was to immediately call my friends and ask for prayer,” she said. “My doctor said if you have a strong faith, are positive and don’t allow yourself to fall into negativity, you’ll be able to make it through this a lot easier.”

Soon after the diagnosis, she had appointments with a surgeon and an oncologist. The following month, she started chemo treatments. “I did nine months of chemo once a week, followed by three months of chemo every three weeks, then had the surgery,” she said. Donna always prayed before every chemo treatment and didn’t have any nausea afterwards, and her blood work was always good. “But I slept a lot. I was reminded that ‘rest’ is the first part of restoration,” she said.

The surgery was followed by 45 radiation treatments. “I have to say the cancer clinic in Kelowna was nothing but a positive experience. Everyone was supportive,” she recalled. “My radiologist handed me a paper listing all the symptoms of radiation and suggested I hand it to my friends so they could pray about it.”

One of Donna’s doctors suggested she might want to shave her head rather than go through the trauma of losing her long hair. Although she wasn’t sure if she would lose her hair, she decided to follow the doctor’s advice. “I wore a wig for a while, mostly because baldness bothered other people more than it bothered me,” she said. “And I didn’t want sympathy; I wanted support, so I wore a wig.”

Donna’s close friends and family were always asking how she was doing, so she began making a video update every week and posting it on her Facebook page. She gives God the credit for walking her through her journey, along with her close friends and people praying for her.

After doing some personal research, she chose to go on a high alkaline diet and cut out sugar and carbohydrates. “It’s believed cancer is fed by sugar. I concentrated on having a healthier diet, and to some degree, I’m still on it,” she said.

Donna said she surrounded herself with people who were positive thinkers and made sure all the input in her life was uplifting. The hospital staff noticed Donna’s positive attitude and would sometimes ask for her help. While in a chemo room, Donna heard a woman saying harsh words to the nurses. “The nurse asked if I wouldn’t mind talking to her,” Donna said. “I told the woman it’s not the nurse’s fault you’re going through this; she’s only trying to help. The woman became quiet and then asked what I meant, and I was able to share my thoughts and pray with her.”

Now Donna is back at work and enjoying volunteering in different capacities. “People come in at work and talk about family members going through cancer, and I’m able to talk to them and share my story,” she said. “Sometimes they’ll ask if I would come talk to their loved one. We can use the things we have gone through to help others.”

She helps others by sharing what helped her. “At the very beginning, the doctor called it ‘my cancer,’ and I wouldn’t call it ‘my cancer’,” she remembered. “It was just a lump that had to go. I tell people what you say and believe are very important.”

Her concluding words offer much encouragement to those who receive a positive diagnosis. “There’s a scripture that says trouble will not come a second time. I stand on that and stay confident,” she stated. “Cancer can’t become the centre of your life. It’s what I dwell on that brings victory.”