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Stand even, maybe not… stand tall, you betcha
by Sheila Tutty,
Canadian Cancer Society volunteer
It is people like Glenda Standeven who enable the Canadian Cancer Society to fund the valuable services they provide. And Glenda knows firsthand what that is all about. Not only is she a 26-year cancer survivor, but her husband Rick is a two-time survivor.
Glenda was diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma in 1987. Research showed that the cancer would not respond to chemo or radiation – leaving the only option to amputate her right leg, including her hip and pelvis, in January 1988 at the young age of 32.
When asked what her reaction to this terrible fate was, Glenda describes how the week prior she had a dream in which her life would be “unremarkable” with two legs, but with only one leg, her life would be much harder but much more rewarding.
“I’m very grateful to be alive,” says Glenda. “I’ve seen far too many friends and family members lose their fight with this disease. It is so sad to lose loved ones, but I also know that if it were not for research dollars, I would not be here, nor would my husband.”
Thanks to the skin cancer awareness bookmarks Glenda handed out at one of her speaking events, she was able to recognize a suspicious mole on her husband Rick’s arm. It turned out to be melanoma but because it was caught early, doctors were able to cure him.
Two times “lucky,” Rick is also a survivor of prostate cancer. Ironically he was diagnosed on December 23, 2011; Glenda was diagnosed on December 22, 24 years earlier.
A sense of humour has helped both of them get through these challenges. When Glenda first lost her leg, the therapists had a good laugh when they found out her last name was Standeven. Rick suggested to Glenda she change her first name to Eileen.
“Having a sense of humour is absolutely the key to living well, regardless of whether or not you’ve had cancer,” Glenda said.
With the financial and emotional help Glenda and Rick received from the Canadian Cancer Society, the motivation for Glenda to become involved was created. She has been a volunteer with the Society for over 25 years.
In her quest for cancer awareness, Glenda has recently published two books. One is her autobiography titled I am Choosing to Smile. “I want people to know that cancer doesn’t define me. It’s not who I started out as and it’s not who I am now,” says Glenda.
The second book What Men Won’t Talk About and Women Need to Know is written from her perspective from her experience with Rick’s prostate cancer. “He encouraged me to share the story so that his cancer would help others. When Rick was first diagnosed we found the amount of information out there to be overwhelming and finding the answers to what we really needed to know was intimidating to say the least.”
Rick says that he wants men and women to recognize the early signs of prostate cancer and also the reality of treatment options which is why he encouraged his wife to write this book. He says, “Having one easy to read short book versus a stack of literature to wade through will hopefully make the journey easier for someone else and maybe even save lives.”
Rick’s surgeon Dr. Alan So at the Prostate Centre in Vancouver said this is a book every man and woman should read. And that’s a pretty hefty recommendation.
Glenda is currently partnering with the Canadian Cancer Society on a series of free, public speaking events during Daffodil Month in April. There will be four events throughout the Southern Interior to help spread her hopeful message of “choosing to smile” in the face of adversity.
The event in Cranbrook will be Wednesday, April 16 at Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre (803 Cranbrook St N) from 7-8:30 p.m. – coffee and snacks are generously provided by Heritage Inn. Seating is limited for this free event – don’t wait – please call Sarah at 250.426.8916 or email [email protected] to reserve your spot today!
For more information, check out www.iamchoosingtosmile.com; Glenda’s Facebook page at glendastandeven.com or cancer.ca.
