Name: Amy Hiscock

Age: 33

Hometown: Heart’s Content, NL

Where do you work? Currently on a leave of absence from RBC Royal Bank.

What is your career goal? Just taking life one day at a time for now.

 

Your experience with cancer:

Who did you support with cancer?

My husband, Jamie.

How did you find out about their cancer?

After numerous trips back and forth to our family doctor, two emergency room visits followed by a CT Scan, and a colonoscopy.

What kind of cancer was he diagnosed with?

Metastasized colorectal cancer.

When was it?

July 2012

What were your first thoughts when you found out about the diagnosis?

Is this really happening?

How did you support him?

I have been to every appointment that was scheduled from day one. I have not missed a single chemo treatment (of which there have been 24), and try to keep a positive and encouraging attitude in our daily lives regardless of my inner fears.

How do you feel?

This has been a very stressful and emotional journey to say the least.

In which hospital is he treated?

Dr.H.Bliss Murphy, St.John’s, NL

How is life different for you now that you have had an experience with cancer?

We have two small children, and needless to say, life goes on. We try to live each day to the fullest and take things one step at a time. You have to find time to appreciate the small things in life.

What was the hardest thing about adjusting to life after someone close to you was diagnosed with cancer?

The fear of the unknown.

What really motivated you to keep going while he is sick?

Our love for each other, and our children.

What lessons or messages have you taken away from your experience?

I have a quote by Sigmund Freud that I would like to share: “One day in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.” I choose to look at our journey with cancer as a gift. As a family, we have lived more in this past year than ever before. If it wasn’t for cancer, we would be caught up in daily routines and silly frustrations. We have learned the secret to accept the beauty of the present day and life itself. Take time to stop and smell the roses!

Did you attend any support groups during your challenge?

We recently had the opportunity to attend a YACC retreat this July. It is truly beneficial to speak to people who understand firsthand what you are experiencing, to know your innermost thoughts and feelings. It absolutely helped. The “strangers” we met on the retreat developed into “friendships” and a circle of trust over the course of just one weekend.

 

Click here to read a Survivor Profile by Amy’s husband, Jamie.