Survival Sisters, it's easier together
Published:Friday | October 26, 2018 | 12:00 AM
When you see them, know that they are only as strong as the people supporting them. Understand that their smiles reflect the tender love and care bestowed upon them by the true friends that never left, the real ones they met along the way, and the unconditional love of family that stayed with them from beginning to end. Their confidence and spirit come from a constant reminder that they have a purpose in this world and they should live their life to the fullest despite the odds.
No one should ever experience the ugliness of cancer on their own for it is not just a physiological disease, but a mental one. Cancer takes a toll on the mental health of the individual and can lead to a breakdown of their faith and their will to live. Battling cancer is hard and a strong support system is crucial to the overall well-being of the individual. Kamala McWhinney and Althea Gordon-Lawla were lucky to find each other along this journey and see themselves as the survival sisters.
McWhinney and Lawla were both diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and were business associates prior to diagnosis. "Her boutique was in the same vicinity as mine at 94 1/2 Old Hope Road and we were neighbours," explained McWhinney. They had no idea they were both experiencing the same disease until they met again in the chemotherapy treatment room.
"On my first day of chemo, I was in the chair getting the treatment and I saw this woman just breeze into the room. She was flawless, she was gorgeous, she just seemed so confident," reflected McWhinney. Lawla admits that she came to slay at her treatment and made it her mission to wear something new at every chemo session. "When I walked in I saw her and immediately asked what are you doing here. She was like a baby compared to me so I did not expect to see her of all people because she was so young," said Lawla.
Agodsend
Lawla and McWhinney instantly became friends and played a significant role in each others support system. "The whole journey itself is such an emotional one. It messes with your psychology and unless you are on the same journey, there are things you will not understand," said McWhinney. For her, Lawla was a godsend which she still appreciates five years later.
Her fondest memory with Lawla occurred minutes before her surgery. "My family was running behind and they were not able to make it before I went to do the procedure. Althea was there that morning and she was so supportive. Surgery was something I dreaded and she left from where ever she was and came to hug and be there for me," said McWhinney with tears of gratitude for the kind soul with a bold personality.
Lawla knew exactly what McWhinney was going through because she had her own double mastectomy. "I know how emotional the process is and it can even lead to depression. The medications we were on had a lot of side effects that we were both experiencing. It was really nice having someone there to share these personal details with and lean on during hard times," she explained. She also loves McWhinney's sense of style and they were both seen as the well dressed trouble makers in the chemotherapy treatment room.
In just five years, Lawla and McWhinney created a partnership to not only support each other, but also support other women who are going through the same struggles that come with breast cancer. "Health insurance is a serious issue among women with breast cancer because many of them do not have it," said Lawla. Both herself and McWhinny are active sponsorship seekers in aid of women who are not able to afford treatment. For them, life insurance and critical-illness coverage is a must and having strong support necessary for kicking cancer to the kerb.