July 16, 1999 is my diagnosis date. Today is my 17 year anniversary! I celebrate (with a few cocktails usually) every year on this day to remember what I have gone through and the people I have lost from cancer.

I remember the day I was diagnosed so well. I was pregnant with Noah and all the uncertainty of what life was going to be…if a life at all. Its family, friends, co-workers, team mates, hockey parents/families/coaches, and every one else in my life that have made it an amazing 17 years to be alive. Thank you for your continued support!

Monday, July 11th was my last and final round of chemo. After over 2 years of chemo-maintenance, I am VERY happy to be done. I was supposed to have 1 more round in October but Dr. Connors feels that the side effects are outweighing the results. I have had multiple sinus and ear infections throughout the last 2 years, which are hard to heal from when your immune system is consistently shot from chemo. I have yet another sinus infection now, thus the reason for this being my last round. My cancer has shrunk as small as it can and it is not growing at this point. Dr. Connors feels the chemo has done the job and I shouldn’t have to do treatment again for (as he said) “many years to come”. This is good news.

After 2 years, I’m finally doing my last round of chemo. Time to celebrate!

On a sad note, my doctor will be retiring next Spring. Dr. Connors has been so amazing to me and my family. I don’t think I could have done it without him. He is so kind, calm and patient. Some of the nurses at the BCCA call him ‘God’ and they are upset to see him leave. So, on my next appointment in January, Dr. Connors will be introducing me to my new oncologist. I have met most of the other doctors in the Lymphoma Unit over the years. Dr. Connors wants me to be with a younger doctor because he knows I will be around for a long time. And he’s right.

The last 3 months have been busy for the Brusse Family:

Noah has been trying out for a few Junior B hockey teams. He has committed to play next season with the Princeton Posse in BC. It will be sad to see him leave to go away and be billeted with a family for the school year, but we are very excited for him to play the next level of hockey. Looks like Eric and I will be doing a lot of road trips and watching Noah play online. Noah finished grade 10 this year at Whistler Secondary. He will be at Princeton Secondary until the end of hockey season and then returning for the end of school at home.

Eric has been busy playing ball again with me, golfing and fishing. He is still loving his job at The Listle Hotel doing maintenance.

After 14 years of being an Intrawest employee, I left and took a job as an Assistant to Shannon Susko. I have come full circle, as I worked with Shannon at Paradata Systems Inc. before starting at Intrawest. I am definitely enjoying the challenge and happy I can still see my Intrawest family around town.

Govenor General’s Award for my dad:
I recently went to Ottawa with my mom. Dad was honored with the Meritorious Service Decorations from Governor General David Johnston for all the work he did by helping to establish Kidney Cancer Canada. It was great to be there and represent my 2 sisters who weren’t able to make it. Dad did so much by establishing KCC. We’re all very proud of him.

Mom and I posing with dad’s award after the ceremony. Very proud of my dad.

I hope that you all are having a good summer. It would be nice if we got some sun here in Whistler, but aside from that – summer is going well. Thanks again for all your support over the past couple of years. Fighting cancer is a lot more manageable with a team of people championing you along.

Devo

We’re definitely going to miss watching Noah’s games while he’s away playing hockey.