I was nervous as I arrived at the Delta Hotel in St. John’s for the 2024 NL Cancer Conference for Women this past Friday. This would be my first time attending a conference like this since I was diagnosed with cancer so many years ago.
I wasn’t sure what to expect or if I was ready to openly share my own cancer story with others. However, I knew attending could provide information and support that I hoped would help me in my journey. I was tired of feeling alone in it all.
Upon checking into the hotel, I was given my room assignment and noticed I was sharing with another conference attendee and she was a fantastic roommate! We found common ground and supported each other over the weekend.
After settling into my room, I made my way to dinner and the opening sessions where I was welcomed by the organizers from the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation. They explained the goals of the conference were to provide inspiration, information and support to women dealing with any type of cancer.
Throughout the evening, all attendees were asked to go to the front, introduce themselves and place a ribbon on the tree located by the podium. I was given 2 ribbons, one for each type of cancer I was diagnosed with over the years.
Speaking into a microphone, in front of so many strangers, wasn’t easy, but I did it! I was so far out of my confront zone these past few days, but it was important to me to attend. I am glad I did, as I learned so much and made connections with others on a similar journey.
The schedule was comprehensive with sessions covering a wide variety of topics from the latest medical treatments to coping strategies and living well after cancer. Suviourship was a big topic and one close to my heart! It empowers me to know I am surviving this journey with cancer, and have been for the past 36 years since my first diagnosis. My cancer might be rare, I didn’t meet anyone else there with the same type, but it didn’t matter to me in the end, as I met so many other inspiring women.
All the presenters were noted experts in their fields which gave me confidence they could share knowledge to help women at any stage of the cancer path. I was eager to take in as much information as possible, hoping it would help me personally or even assist others I knew who were also battling this disease. I learned all kinds of new things!
Over those two days, I attended various sessions on cancer, hormone therapies, Hospice care, lymphedema prevention, sexuality and intimacy post-treatment, and various techniques for stress relief. The food was fantastic, even more so the entertainment every evening.
Each presenter brought a distinct experience and perspective that both educated and encouraged the audience. It was evident we were not alone in our struggles as many women openly shared their own stories, struggles and triumphs. Meeting so many others facing similar challenges was both humbling and comforting for me.
My emotions were all over the place when I attended the Gynological session. I deliberately sat right in the front, as I didn’t want to know how many women would be listening to me speak, it would scare me too much. I asked if there was anything new I could do to help prevent my cancer of vulva from coming back but was told “no”.
The only things I can do are what I am already doing, no perfumes in the area, wear cotton, and do not scratch. I learned in her practice that cancer of the vulva takes 1% and she has other patients who have been dealing with recurrences like me for many years. I must say she was surprised by my story but she also gave me a lot of new info I didn’t know before, which was very helpful.
HPV is very common and I learned that just about every sexual person has it (there was a study done on college students in 2023) and most have no symptoms at all. In a small portion of people, the HPV virus will lead to cancer, either cervical, which is more common, or vulvar cancer. I was unlucky enough to get both from the virus.
I left the session with the knowledge that I would be dealing with the cancer coming back for the rest of my life. Seeing doctors every 6-8 months for checkups is a small price to pay to catch any issues early enough so the cancer cells don’t spread anywhere else. I don’t want it to spread anymore!
Over the weekend, I met so many inspiring women from across Newfoundland and Labrador who were on their own cancer journeys. Simply talking with them and hearing that we were not alone in our fears, uncertainties and triumphs was extremely comforting. The empowerment I felt from being surrounded by such strong, resilient women was remarkable. I left feeling uplifted and with a renewed sense of hope for my own future.
While it took all my courage to attend, I am so glad I chose to participate. I cried, laughed, danced, and actually opened up to others about my stories. I made new friends. The conference exceeded any expectations I had and provided me with invaluable information, connections and perspective.
It was a very emotional weekend for me but also very empowering and informative. Meeting so many women and listening to their cancer stories has humbled me. I feel better equipped to face upcoming challenges and look forward to staying involved with this amazing organization in the future.
This experience has been truly life-changing.