Reaction to a changed diagnosis for brain cancer (Doug’s story)

March 1, 2011

In this video, Doug B. talks about being diagnosed with brain cancer, but then the gift of having his diagnosis upgraded from stage 4 to stage 1

Watch as Doug talks about learning he had brain cancer and then having his severe diagnosis of stage 4 upgraded to stage 1. He considered that a gift for the wedding that he and his now-wife Ashleigh planned in 10 days.

He talks about the challenges of having to stay strong for others as they were trying to, and failing at, encouraging him. He shares how his recovery was non-linear and how his surgery affected his communication. He also talks about accepting rather than worrying about cancer being in his life.

Doug’s wife, Ashleigh, shares her thoughts about their experience with cancer and her caregiving in another video.

It was one of those big scares in my life where it was potentially something that would be life-ending. But the great news was that changed and it was Grade 1 and it was something that was fully removable. Since then I have been able to move on and work on the healing process of getting better and feel my life is better for it.

Watch the video of Doug B. talking about his changed diagnosis

The Partnership’s Person-Centred Perspective initiative is committed to improving the patient experience. We are working with partners across Canada to find the best ways to offer a person-centred perspective throughout a person’s cancer journey and to help information flow throughout. The impact of a cancer diagnosis goes far beyond the physical disease. It affects every aspect of a person’s life. The initiative has focused on reporting about the patient experience, and giving health-care providers patient-centred tools and resources, which have been validated and standardized.

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