Accepting a different body and outlook after breast cancer (Gill’s story)

March 1, 2011

In this video, Gill talks about accepting her scar, talking with others about cancer, telling her kids, enjoying the moment and having epiphanies

Watch as Gill talks about discovering a lump in her breast at the age of 42 and how now, four months later, she is a week away from finishing radiation. She also talks about losing her breast, and finally looking at and accepting the scar.

She shares how she was honest and open with her children, and how she had to learn to get used to her body without a breast. She also talks about paying attention to the present moment and being easier on herself.

Gill is a writer and television personality. She is married with three young boys.

This may sound weird but I think this entire experience of having breast cancer has been less awful than I anticipated. And, what I mean by that is, it’s awful and I would never wish this on anybody. But somebody who had cancer a few years ago said to me – you’d never wish cancer on anyone, but there are things that you can experience when you have cancer that you can’t experience any other way.

Watch the video of Gill talking about accepting her body and outlook after breast cancer

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.

Downloadable content