Today was the celebration of life for Dr Robin McGee, my cancer mentor, and although she didn’t post very often, she was a member of VO. Robin was diagnosed with late stage colorectal cancer 14 years ago, after 2 years of bungled attempts to get diagnosed. Because treatment protocol in Nova Scotia was different at the time from other provinces, she was unable to get the appropriate chemotherapy that she badly needed. Robin mounted a battle with Nova Scotia Health, and single-handedly changed the protocol for treatment in Nova Scotia. Not only was she successful in advocating for FOLFOX to be used in colorectal cancer treatment, but she also changed the standards for a timely diagnosis. Unfortunately, these changes were too late to help her, but her advocacy has undoubtedly saved thousands of lives. That mattered to her, even though she knew she had terminal cancer. Robin literally wrote the book on her experience with colorectal cancer - a multi award winning book called “The Cancer Olympics” chronicled the jaw dropping incompetence she faced and the battle she fought to bring colorectal cancer care in Nova Scotia into the 21st century. She was awarded medals for her courage by the Canadian Cancer Society, and by the Governor General of Canada. It isn’t very often one gets to meet a genuine hero; I was lucky enough to call her a friend. More about Robin in this link: http://www.thecancerolympics.com/about-the-author.html While I am sad for the loss of this incredible woman, I am forever grateful to have known her. She worked so hard to make the world a better place, and she really, really did. Laurie Just a semicolon Hi Laurie, I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend & mentor! It always shocks me that in today's way and knowledge available & with technology, that many still have to fight for what is right!! Do you have the ISBN Numbers to her book? I'd love to order a copy & hear what she has/had to say... ugh! Had! Past tense. When my hubby died, is & was & has & had... all words of adjustment, though true, sure sucked learning to use in such a personal blow!! May your friend rest in peace & you will know that her efforts will change many lives and that her family will know what a huge change she has made in contributing her knowledge & even her life to making changes for the better for those dealing with cancer. Thank you for sharing this with us. Linda @dlkfiretruck thanks Linda. As hard as it is to lose a friend, it’s much harder to lose a husband. I am so sorry for your loss; I can’t imagine how difficult that has been for you. The Cancer Olympics, by Robin McGee might be available at your local library. It did really well, and won 7 awards. She was an excellent writer. The book was very poignant, but it also had a lot of humour, (Robin was hysterically funny) and each chapter ends with a bit of a cliffhanger. I wouldn’t likely have picked it up had it not been for my colorectal cancer, but everyone I loaned the book to enjoyed it. Robin was in the Canadian media a lot. The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Chatelaine magazine, CBC’s White Coat Black Art, CTV’s W5, and many smaller news outlets all did articles or episodes about her cancer experience. Here’s the link to her W5 story; it’s called Stacked Odds:
She sure knew how to get her story out! If you can’t find her book, the ISBN for the paperback is 9781460229149. Just a quick note on the above video - Robin’s story is not the first story on the episode. Laurie Just a semicolon When you say that she was a hero @tigerlily, that wasn't a hyperbole! Wow, what a tremendous loss. Thank you for posting the W5 video. Incredibly frustrating and maddening to hear these stories, and the Goliath that patients are up against when things go sideways. I am sorry for your loss. Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate. @veganostomy thanks Eric. Robin was the most extraordinary person I have ever known. One of the many who spoke at her celebration of life was a woman from Robin’s small town, who was diagnosed with late stage colorectal cancer a year after Robin’s diagnosis. Because the protocol for treatment had changed so significantly due to Robin’s efforts, she is doing very well, 13 years after diagnosis. She is one of the countless lives that Robin saved from her own fate. Laurie Just a semicolon Laurie, I finally got around to watching this video. I am deeply moved by the strength and patience your friend, had, to take on the medical war! I didn't know there was such a field of protection around our Doctors BUT It makes sense knowing from my own 2 experiences, no where near what Robin is going through, but seeing 2 medical personal in my town disappear/leave rather silently, quickly after they each made a life threatening medical error. My heart truly goes out to Robin and her family. She is very courageous! Linda @dlkfiretruck thanks Linda. I learned a lot from Robin; unfortunately, not all of it was pleasant. Laurie Just a semicolon I’m so sorry for your loss, Laurie. -Liza
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~
Ileostomy 6/18/2018
“May your day be bright and your bag be light.”
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