Reconstructing her femininity: Surviving breast cancer

The story you are about to read is about Jennifer Kelly, a young mother who faced an uncertain future after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. While Jennifer’s story ends well thanks to the care she received at VGH and UBC Hospital, she now faces a new battle – surviving as a former cancer patient during COVID-19.

This “new normal” is a daily struggle for Jennifer and her family, but there are ways we can help people like Jennifer during this unprecedented time. Click here to learn more.

It was July 4th, 2015. Jennifer Kelly, 33 at the time, was happily preparing a surprise party for her mom’s 60th birthday. She and her siblings had a wonderful dinner planned. Then the phone rang…it was Jennifer’s doctor’s office. They needed her to come in immediately.

During the journey, she felt she already knew in her heart what it was — Jennifer was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I lost two friends to breast cancer. I know not everyone makes it. And it just so happened I got my news the night of mom’s birthday party,” says Jennifer. “So I went to this dinner and acted normal. The next morning, I told my family. Everyone was shocked and upset, and wanted to know what was next.”

The next three years of Jennifer’s life became about this fight.

Fighting against the odds

Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in BC. In 2019, an estimated 3,890 women in this province will be newly diagnosed and 695 will die of it.

Jennifer was the one in eight Canadian women who develop breast cancer in their lifetime. And even rarer was her young age and the fact no one in her immediate family had ever had breast cancer before.

She felt run down, unlucky, and resentful of her body for what felt like a betrayal. Facing down this deadly disease was almost enough to keep Jennifer feeling down indefinitely. But when she looked at her children, aged one and four at the time, it hit her.

“I had to survive for them. To have a memory of their mother — not just a photograph or a story from a loved one. A real memory,” says Jennifer.

Jennifer Kelly smiles with her family

Jennifer opted for a double mastectomy to remove both breasts which was paired with 21 bouts of chemotherapy. She wanted to dot her i’s and cross her t’s to ensure the cancer wouldn’t recur.

“I became a full-time patient. That was my job,” says Jennifer. “And I remember people — friends and family — asking, How are you doing? Fine. What’s new? Nothing. Absolutely nothing is new because my life is consumed with chemo treatments and blood work and scans and labs and feeling like garbage.”

Detaching from herself

Before her double mastectomy, Jennifer never associated her femininity with her breasts. But after the removal was complete, all of life’s little moments around the female body became magnified and impossible to ignore.

“I remember going to clothing stores to try to try on things that I thought would be good, and just being in fitting rooms and just crying because nothing would fit me properly,” says Jennifer.

She also struggled with returning to her favourite activities such as yoga, as not only would the clothing not fit properly but she would feel self-conscious about her hair loss and having to remove her wig.

So in September 2016, Jennifer made the decision to have breast reconstruction surgery at UBC Hospital by Dr. Sheina Macadam.

Feeling like a woman again

“In November 2016, we went to a big fundraiser gala for my children’s school and I wore this beautiful dress. And although I hadn’t had full surgery yet, the tissue expanders made me feel like a woman again,” says Jennifer. “I still had short hair — my hair was still growing back — but I felt really good about myself again.”

Breast cancer patients often face the reality of a mastectomy to surgically remove the breast(s). Approximately 2,000 mastectomies are done annually in BC, with 65% of breast reconstruction surgeries in Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) being performed at UBC Hospital.

Studies show that emotional, social and functional well-being, vitality, body image and general mental health are improved in women who have immediate or delayed breast reconstruction surgery after their mastectomy.

“I’m very happy that I was able to see Dr. Macadam and have it all done,” says Jennifer. “Because at the end of the day she gave me my life back. She made me feel like a woman again. Like myself again”

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Nurse recovers from devastating spinal injury at VGH

It was a beautiful day in May 2018 when 28 year old Keya Milaire went out horseback riding in Langley’s Campbell Valley Park. She was exercising a horse for a friend and enjoying the sunshine when suddenly the animal panicked, reared up and fell backwards — directly on top of Keya.

The horse shot back up and took off, leaving Keya alone and broken in the tall grass. Her legs were tingling and felt numb. Luckily, Keya still had her cellphone and immediately dialed 9-1-1.

“I knew right away that something was broken, so I did my best to stay stationary on my side,” says Keya. “I was feeling numbness and tingling in my lower legs, so they sent a helicopter to come get me, but because of where I was laying in the tall grass, they couldn’t easily find me.”

After nearly 30 minutes of searching, Keya’s help arrived and she was taken to Royal Columbian Hospital. Due to the extent of the injuries to her spine Keya required highly specialized care in a timely manner. The kind of care and expertise only found at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH).

Standing tall

At VGH, Dr. Charles Fisher and the medical teams examined Keya and found extensive trauma to her body: two broken ribs, two fractures in her lower spine, and fractures on both sides of her sacrum which caused her pelvis to detach from the spine. To complicate matters further, she had spinal surgery near the same area on a similar injury nine years earlier.

The direction of care came to a fork in the road: Dr. Fisher knew surgery would allow her bones to heal faster, but a consequence of the procedure would take away her ability to bend at her lower back and therefore lower her long-term quality of life.

“To me looking at a young person, to take that away for the rest of her life, would not have been in her best interest,” says Dr. Fisher.

Instead of surgery, Dr. Fisher recommended an unorthodox method of care for the modern surgeon in 2019 — he wanted Keya to remain under bed rest at VGH, expecting her not to begin mobilizing for at least three months. This would allow the fractures to heal, her pain to be managed and for any possible complications to be immediately addressed.

Keya was a lifelong athlete, always working out and exploring the outdoors. The idea of being confined to a bed was less than thrilling, but, as a nurse herself, she agreed this was the best direction of care for her long-term health.

And so with an upbeat and optimistic attitude, Keya settled in for potentially months of bed rest at VGH.

Fighting through the pain

“In my first week I was very nauseous,” says Keya. “And I was told I would be on bed rest for three months. But I was determined to beat that.”

Keya wasn’t allowed to move for the first two weeks, aside from slightly shifting every now and then. She read and slept a lot, and looked forward to visits from her friends and family who came daily all the way out from Langley and Abbotsford. More than 50 different visitors came to see Keya, which helped her maintain a positive outlook throughout her stay.

But it was her best friend Hazel, her dog, who would always pick her spirits up. Hazel came to visit three to five days a week and was the best way to keep Keya smiling.

Once Keya could start moving and doing physiotherapy, she put all of her focus into her recovery.

“Despite being bed ridden, I started doing physio three to four times a day and I made sure I pushed myself as far as I could every time,” says Keya.

Seven weeks and two days later — a week before her 29^th birthday — Keya was discharged, able-bodied and walking on her own.

Getting back on the horse

It’s a little less than a year later, and not only is Keya walking again, she is back to riding horses.

“It felt incredibly freeing to ride again,” says Keya. “If you’ve never experienced not being able to move or struggling to move, it’d be hard to relate, but just having that ability to move without effort was a beautiful thing to feel.”

Keya’s recovery is ongoing as she attends physiotherapy one to three days a week, massage therapy twice a week, and she goes to yoga and the gym as much as possible.

“I still have a long way to go before I’m back to 100 per cent, but because of the amazing staff at VGH I am going down the right path,” says Keya. “To be able to walk again is a gift, and I’m forever grateful to all of those who helped me.”

Helping lung cancer patients make a LEAP

Being diagnosed with lung cancer is life-changing. A plethora of information is thrown at your feet, treatments such as chemotherapy, medication and surgery are discussed, and all this while dealing with the sobering thoughts the word cancer brings to mind.

This is why Della and Stuart McLaughlin chose to help the more than 3,500 new lung cancer patients who are diagnosed throughout BC every year.

“A family member of ours was diagnosed with lung cancer,” says Della. “So we know how difficult it can be for everyone involved. We jumped at the chance to help the thousands of patients in BC facing lung cancer get absolutely critical support.”

The McLaughlins’ generous gift to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is funding an innovative partnership program between Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) and BC Cancer Agency entitled Lung Evaluation & Assessment Program (LEAP). The program will employ a medical navigator to support lung cancer patients and their families throughout their journey, including palliative care. In addition, it aims to shorten the diagnostic process.

“In lung cancer time is very relevant because sometimes symptoms can progress quite quickly,” says Dr. Janessa Laskin. “A couple of weeks can make a significant difference.”

“And that’s what the McLaughlins are impacting,” adds Dr. John Yee. “They are making sure that patients are being seen by the right specialists, and having the right tests done as quickly as possible.”

The overall risk of developing lung cancer in the lifetime of both men and women is 1 in 13, with nearly seven people dying every day from this disease in BC.

Through the McLaughlins’ gift patients will have the support they need to feel confident, a point of contact for any questions they might have, and an efficient process to get them to the right treatment.

Our heartfelt thanks go to the McLaughlins whose generosity is transforming health care in BC.

Canada’s top dogs eradicating C. diff at VGH

Two of Vancouver General Hospital’s best employees are stopping dangerous bacteria from spreading by putting their nose to the grindstone — literally.

Meet Angus and Dodger, Canada’s top dogs when it comes to seeking out and preventing the spread of Clostridium difficile, commonly known as C. diff.

Angus and Dodger

“I’ve had C. diff and I know first-hand just how damaging it can be to someone,” says Teresa Zurberg, Angus’ handler. “Preventing it is incredibly important to the health and safety of patients.”

Angus and Dodger are the first two canines leading the Canine Scent Detection Program at VGH.

Thanks to donations the program launched in 2016 with Angus as its inaugural sniffer. From November 2016 to August 2019 there were 1,241 areas searched, with 45% of them pinging at least one alert.

The detection dog and handler are accompanied on their rounds by an infection preventionist, a member of the hospital’s cleaning team (environmental services), and a senior representative from the unit who can ensure that any alerts are immediately actioned.

“Every alert is a teaching moment,” says Teresa. “After a positive alert we educate the present staff, patients and families on the dangers of C. diff and how best to avoid contamination in the future.”

Angus, Canada’s first superbug sniffing dog hard at work

Anyone can catch C. diff, but it is most commonly acquired in a health care environment with immunocompromised patients. The antibiotic-resistant bacterium can cause symptoms ranging from fevers and abdominal cramps to life-threatening colonic inflammations.

Utilizing trained and certified canines such as Angus and Dodger (and soon-to-be certified Rudi), the dogs are discovering where C. diff colonies survive and thrive and alert staff using nonverbal cues to avoid upsetting patients.

Recently, Angus discovered C. diff in a toilet paper dispenser. As only the outside of the dispenser was cleaned, the discovery of bacteria in hard-to-reach places such as this has led VGH to refine its practices.

Teresa is hopeful the Canine Scent Detection Program continues to grow. Their third dog, Rudi, is being trained right now and Teresa aims for him to be certified before the end of the year. As part of the Program’s expansion, two puppies have been recruited as its latest trainees. One named Traveller and the other now named Finn, picked by the public in a recent naming contest.

The program is also expanding beyond VGH to help reduce C. diff infections across Vancouver Coastal Health.

“We’ve also been all around BC and out to Ontario with Angus to show what he can do,” says Teresa. “He’s helping Canadians everywhere.”

Heart Surgery Patient and Artist Creates Windward Calm, a Sculpture for Hospital Atrium

At Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) campuses humanizing clinical space with art has proved to have a profoundly positive effect on patients, their families and friends.

On Thursday, Nov. 8, 150 philanthropists, members of the art community and VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation staff gathered to celebrate the unveiling of Windward Calm by renowned artist David Robinson.

Windward Calm is particularly meaningful to him as it was envisioned during his own recovery at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH). He had gone through open heart surgery to fix a heart defect and spent a lot of time in the Gordon & Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre, where he would think about creating a sculpture for that particular space.

David’s dream soon became a reality thanks to Gordon and Leslie Diamond who, when they heard about the project, knew immediately they wanted to donate the funds to ensure the sculpture was created.

“It spoke to me,” says Gordon. “And now we’re helping people. There are going to be people waiting outside of the doctor’s office and when they come here and look up it will just free them a bit. It will just take them away from their problem. This is why I love the art at VGH and was happy to support this project from start to finish.”

Gordon Diamond shakes hands with Windward Calm artist, David Robinson.

Windward Calm is the newest edition to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation’s Art Collection. Founded by Roberta Beiser in 1999, the Foundation’s Art Collection started as a few pieces scattered throughout VGH and has since grown to more than 2,300 curated and wonderful installations across VCH campuses.

“Art changes health care,” says Roberta. “I know from my own experience how amazing it is to see something positive and wonderful. I think anybody who sees this piece will feel it. It’s extraordinary.”

Barbara Grantham, President and CEO of the Foundation, says the importance of art in the hospital is clearest to her when she walks the halls in the evenings.

“The evenings are different because people who are here then are experiencing a different kind of stress. They’re not here for a check-up,” says Barbara. “And often you can see them walking through the hospital looking at the art. Patients and their families in the middle of hardship finding respite in paintings, drawings and installations like Windward Calm.”

“The honour of having the work in this space where it’s interacting with people during a very difficult time in their life is an enormous privilege,” says David, Windward Calm’s creator.

Thank you David Robinson of Robinson Studios, Gordon and Leslie Diamond and the Art Advisory Committee for coming together to make this spectacular piece a reality for all to enjoy.

Windward Calm from above.

Philanthropic spark ignited innovation

L-R: Jim Jones, Linda Nimmerrichter Holmes, Dr. Don Griesdale, Donna Jones, Ryan Jones and Dr. Myp Sekhon

Linda Nimmerrichter Holmes, a lifelong philanthropist, donated $25,000 which enabled VGH to purchase the first multimodal neuromonitoring device in Canada, also known as the Brain Bolt.

Linda’s generosity provided intensive care physicians Drs. Sekhon and Griesdale with the tools to revolutionize traumatic brain injury care at VGH. The use of the Brain Bolt is saving patients who were previously thought “untreatable”.

“Advances in health care require a leap of faith,” says Linda. “We know so little about the brain, but we now have very capable doctors working together.”

The Brain Bolt first proved its utility in April 2015, when Olympic-hopeful freestyle skier Jamie Crane-Mauzy suffered a traumatic brain injury while competing at Whistler. In 2016, the Brain Bolt was used for the first time on 22-year-old cardiac arrest patient, Ryan Jones, whose life was saved by placing the device into his brain to receive vital life-saving information.

“I’m very encouraged to know that not only is this technology saving lives, but it’s saving young lives. Families. All I can say is that I feel really, really honoured to have been able to do this.”

— Linda Nimmerrichter Holmes, Donor

40 years of health care transformation

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation was established in 1980 to raise funds for Vancouver General Hospital. Almost 40 years later, our growth, expertise and connections make us the philanthropic engine for health innovation and transformation in British Columbia. Today, we support the most specialized adult care, groundbreaking research and system transformation across Vancouver Coastal Health — BC’s largest health authority serving 1.5 million people. No one knows the impact of the Foundation’s 40-year trajectory better than Peter Bentley — our founding Board Chair, and now our Chair Emeritus.

Peter, his wife Sheila and the Bentley family are lifelong visionary supporters and advocates for health care in BC. The impact of their generosity is felt across our hospitals and health centres, including in healing spaces for mental health patients, and through provision of support to patients living with neuromuscular diseases.

Thanks to the Bentley family and you — our supporters — we are approaching $1 billion raised for health care since our inception in 1980. We applaud Peter for his pioneering leadership of our Foundation, which has driven transformations in health care and profoundly impacted the wellbeing of our province. Peter, you truly exemplify what it means to be a philanthropist, and we are proud to call you our lifelong friend.

Peter Bentley and family were honoured with the naming of the Peter Bentley and Family Square located at VGH.

A warmer welcome

Linda Wong with her husband Wai Mo

In honour of Wai Mo Wong, his wife Linda, daughter Rainbow and granddaughter Kendal-Mei have given a generous gift to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation to support critical mental health projects including the new Psychiatric Assessment Unit (PAU) at VGH.

Opening its doors in August 2018, the PAU is a main entry point for mental health clients entering the health care system and is a gateway to them receiving the support they need. The PAU renovation was designed around the three core elements of psychiatric care — safety, respect and comfort. The larger, brighter and safe space is supporting their comfort and care.

We are incredibly grateful to Wai Mo Wong & Family, who provided the funds to rejuvenate the space. This gift will have a lasting impact, enabling positive outcomes for those with mental illness.

“When my husband Wai Mo passed away I wanted to find some way to honour his memory. Our gift has gone to support projects across VCH that are actively providing care to BC’s growing senior population and other vulnerable populations in our community.

— Linda Wong, Donor

Robert and Greta Ho impact patient care in our communities

Robert Hung Ngai Ho C.M., O.B.C., has been a generous and prolific philanthropic partner to the Foundation and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). His support has enabled capital investments across VCH, including the Robert H.N. Ho Research Centre at VGH and the Greta & Robert H.N Ho Psychiatry & Education (HOpe) Centre at Lions Gate Hospital.

Two recent gifts from Robert have been creative investments in people: The Robert H.N. Ho Enhancing Patient Care Fund and the innovative iPACE program in palliative care. The significance of these gifts goes far beyond physical spaces, and their impact has been deeply felt in communities across VCH.

Empowering front line staff

The best facilities, tools and equipment need to be partnered with dedicated, innovative staff in order to have the best possible outcomes for patient care. In order to recruit and retain the best and brightest professionals, VCH requires robust training and education programs for its people.

Robert has made it his goal to transform health care by providing the investments that identify and nurture future leaders. His generosity is expanding the expertise and knowledge available across VCH, and is directly influencing and improving patient care.

“True quality of care is not only about access to the best facilities, research and equipment. It is also about investing in people, listening to them and giving them the chance and time to reflect on how to deliver the most efficient and best care possible,” says Robert. “I am proud to see that this is inspiring others to follow in our philanthropic footsteps.”

Speaking up for end-of-life care

Palliative care can be a difficult thing to talk about. Securing funding for research and program development can be challenging too.

Palliative care provides medical services, emotional support and spiritual resources for people who have terminal illnesses and are in their final stages of life. Robert’s generosity is supporting these patients through the innovative “Integrating a Palliative Approach by having Conversations Early” (iPACE) model.

“End-of-life is a reality for every human being. We are often shy to address this openly, and need to take the time to listen to patients and their families.”

“The iPACE program is an important and integral part of my vision that by investing in people and giving them the knowledge, tools and support they need, we can make significant changes in people’s lives and their well-being — physically, mentally and spiritually,” says Robert.

Through the hiring of palliative care specialist “champions” across VCH, we are improving palliative care both at home and in residential care settings. Combined with other improvements such as more hospice capacity, VCH is making the end-of-life experience more meaningful for patients and their families.

iPace at a Glance

835 educational sessions delivered to

3468 staff members

100 new “goals of care” conversations per month

Transforming breast cancer journeys for BC patients

Vancouver, BC – Philanthropic investment is improving the journey of care for breast cancer patients in BC. Today, we are celebrating the appointment of Dr. Kathryn Isaac as the inaugural Dr. Patricia Clugston Chair in Breast Reconstruction Surgery at the University of British Columbia.

To support the Chair’s mandate — improving access to the network of resources available to breast cancer patients in BC — we are also delighted to announce a $1 million gift from the Philip family which will improve how patients navigate the care system.

“VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is honoured to be supporting VCH clinician Dr. Kathryn Isaac in her appointment to this transformational role, which was only made possible through the power of philanthropy,” says Barbara Grantham, President and CEO of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. “Thousands of women across BC facing breast cancer will directly benefit from her work.”

The Chair is named in memory of Dr. Patricia Clugston, a talented surgeon who passed away at the height of her career. She was a champion for all women facing breast cancer who believed that every mother, wife, sister, grandmother and friend deserved efficient, consistent and coordinated care during their cancer treatment journey.

In her Chair role, Dr. Isaac’s mission is to increase access to breast reconstruction surgery, address health care navigation issues, improve the clinical experience through surgical innovation and ensure consistency of care across the province. The Chair will also develop and enhance partnerships, advocate to government, coordinate training and education, and build an efficient research team.

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation secured $5 million through philanthropic gifts to support this Chair position. Partial funding was provided by the BC Cancer Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society (previously the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation) and St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation.

“I am incredibly proud to champion the betterment of breast cancer care and breast reconstruction in this province,” says Dr. Isaac. “Despite the exceptional comprehensive care available in British Columbia, women diagnosed with breast cancer can be faced with delays to accessing care and struggle to navigate the medical system on their own.”

Jim & Yvette Philip were motivated to give back after their daughter, Jennifer Kelly, was diagnosed, treated and survived breast cancer. Jennifer’s journey to recovery included a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and breast reconstruction surgery.

Dr. Sheina Macadam led Jennifer’s breast reconstruction surgery, restoring a part of her identity with it.

“I’m very happy that I was able to see Dr. Macadam and have it all done,” says Jennifer. “Because at the end of the day she gave me my life back. And she made me feel like a woman again.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis for women in BC. In 2019, an estimated 3,890 women in this province will be newly diagnosed and 695 will die from the disease.

About VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is Vancouver Coastal Health‘s primary philanthropic partner, raising funds for specialized adult health services and research for all British Columbians. We partner with donors to drive innovation and sustainable health care at VGH, UBC Hospital, GF Strong Rehab Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, and Vancouver Community Health Services.

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Contact:
Sam Smith
Officer, Marketing & Communications
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
Phone: 604-875-4676 ex. 69680