Hockey Fights Cancer 2026 : Joanne Rankin’s Story
Hello, my name is Joanne Rankin, I have been married to a wonderful man for 48 years and hoping to see our 50th Anniversary. I have 3 amazing daughters and one grandson, who is in the Canadian Air force. We lived in Brampton for over 30 years. I retired early and we moved to Bognor and built our dream home on 33 acres.
I was a stay-at-home mom for 13 years and went back to college and received a High Honours for Teaching Assistant certificate. I worked for “The Peel Board of Education for 15 years. It was very awarding, and I gave 110% to the job. I wrote and directed plays for talent shows. One year I produced a skit for my special needs students, using black lights. (Rub a Dub Tub). I received the Award of Excellence from the Peel Board and I was asked to give the thank you speech on behalf of all the recipients.
Cancer has been prominent in my family. My father passed away a day after he retired from colon cancer. My mother had breast cancer at 56. They caught it early so no treatment was required, other than surgery. My twin sister at the age of 44 had a mastectomy on her right breast. And then myself 5 different cancers and now being told in November of last year I have metastasis breast cancer from 25 years ago. I have 3 mature daughters, and I do not want them to go through what I have gone through. Sixteen years ago, I did genetic testing and was told it is not genetic. Hard to believe, I do not have BRACA1 or BRACA2 gene.
My cancer journey has been never ending.
I found a lump on my left breast in April 2000. The biopsy showed a malignant invasive ductal carcinoma, in-situ. It spread to the surrounding breast tissues. They found 2 sentinel nodes that were malignant. I had a lumpectomy, and they did another axillary node dissection and found more cancer nodes.
You asked what was going through my mind. The day before the surgery I had an interview applying to new school and I worked hard on my presentation and wanted to go. My husband asked the doctor if he thought it was cancer, and he said yes. I was in denial and focused on the interview and then I will deal with whatever happens after the surgery. By the way I did get the job.
After the surgery they took me to a room where I was staying overnight, my husband, my 3 girls (teenagers) and my mother waiting for me. I remember saying, “well mom you’re not crying I must be okay.” Well, I was so wrong.
I had 8 chemo treatments in Brampton. After one treatment my white blood cell count was very low, so I had to give myself injections of Neupogen. Every bone, muscle in my body ached, like I was hit by a mac truck. (appx. $2,000 for 10 doses, which was a lot of money to put out in 2000). We had to pay first and then submit it to our insurance company and then reimbursed. I had chemo treatments in Brampton that were average from 5 to 7 hours. Most times my husband was at my side, he would bring his computer to do his work.
I was starting my spiritual path in 1999. So, during my treatments I would do visualizations. I would see Packman (I know I’m dating myself) eating up all my cancer cells and spitting them out of my body and then surround myself with green healing light and then white light for protection. Or I would imagine a large cement wall surrounding my physical body so the cancer cells are blocked and cannot get into my body. And I would pray. I always tried to have a positive attitude. I really believed this was not going to kill me. Trust me, it was work and a lot of self-reflections. I realized the world did not STOP because I had cancer, life went on for my friends, and family even though my life has changed dramatically. My ego took a beating. You do feel alone. Sometimes it does not pay off to be too strong. Your loved ones think she is okay yet there are days when you want to scream, cry and I didn’t give myself permission at that time to do so. Communication is so important, and I struggled with that.
I planned a meeting with my children and my husband as this was the first time they saw their mom seriously sick; this is more than a cold or flu. This was an opportunity for them to ask any questions, address their fears. Unfortunately, it was not as productive as I thought it would be. But the door was always open.
I had a dream or premonition to do a fundraiser, so I wouldn’t focus on my cancer.
I decided to do a dance, and the proceeds would go to “The Children’s Wish Foundation.” The theme I gave was “Give from the heart to children who have so few tomorrows.” I reached out to the community, and I found they were very responsive. The facility was given to me free of charge. Food, pop, music, door and silent auction prizes, all were generously donated. Family, friends, sorority sisters and teachers gave their time to make this fundraiser very successful. I raised over $8,000. The Wish Foundation told me that 2 families were able to go Disney World. I kept track of every donation, and they all received a thank you letter along with The Wish foundation card giving thanks.
That was how I kept busy and gave back.
Cancer showed its ugly head again in August 2011 with stomach cancer. I was admitted into the Owen Sound Hospital for 6 days . After the surgery, no other treatment was needed as the tumour was caught early.
Sixteen years later, I felt another lump on my left breast (second time same breast). This resulted in me having a mastectomy. The biopsy showed HER2+/NEU 95 of invasive carcinoma tumour. A port-a-cath was installed into my upper right chest. (easier to put chemo in the port-a-cath than finding a vein every time.) I had chemo for a year and had to have Neupogen injections again. It was a long year with other complications.
The fourth cancer I found a hard lump on the left side of my neck. First biopsy showed it as being benign, 2 years later I thought the lump was getting larger. The Surgeon thought it was okay, but I told him to take it out.
I pride myself in knowing my body so well and felt something was wrong and asked him to take it out. Unfortunately, I was right, and it was cancer of the saliva gland. Again, other than surgery, no treatment necessary. I just saw my surgeon regularly for 5 years.
I have had 2 hernia operations, and surgery for an aneurysm on my splenic artery.
My fifth cancer again I noticed it. I had a pearly white skin coloured bump under my left arm pit. Once again, I was told by 4 different doctors it was okay, but I wanted it removed. In fact, I had to return to remove more surrounding tissue to be tested. It was Basal cell carcinoma.
I have had hip and back pain. I was volunteering at Hospice, and I could hardly walk or stand with the pain. The nurse there took my vitals and asked many questions, then told me to go to emergency.
It was November 2024, the test results showed there was a large lesion on my spine at the T11. T12 chronic fracture with approximately 50% loss of anterior vertebral. I was then told I have metastatic breast cancer (from 25 years ago). I was given 2 very heavy doses of radiation in London in February 2025. The aftereffects were unbearable; the internal pain was like burning inside me. I couldn’t get comfortable or have enough pain killers. I slept upright with 2 heating pads on my back and stomach. The discomfort slowly left after 5 days. There was a positive outcome as I have no back pain now. Metastatic breast cancer went to my spine. There is no cure but there is preventive action I can take.
Metastasis is a scary, dirty word for a 5-time cancer survivor. You are automatically stage 4, and no cure. You are always wondering when and where it will spread next in your body. At the moment I am taking a blocker tablet called palbociclib once a day for 3 weeks and then one week off. I also take another daily pill, aromasin to help reduce estrogen in the body. It seems my life now is reduced to every 3 months having a CT Scan and an MRI to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of my body. It seems the first week and the 4th week of treatments show fewer side effects. I find that it is the best time to do more activities as my energy is higher and my white blood cell counts are not as low.
With all the previous cancer diagnoses I would give myself a 24-hour pity party, along with digesting all the information I was given. Now it is a whole new ball game. Emotions are at the highest level. I cry a lot. It’s the unknown, what little control do I have. Your body is changing daily and always wondering if there is any concern there. The neuropathy is more intense in my feet and hands. My energy level at times is very low. I am tired and sometimes lose my balance. I did mention I get emotional right, well I could be happy, life is good and all sudden I start crying. I find that the toughest to cope with.
The oncology team at Owen Sound Hospital, which I have been using since 2011 is amazing. The doctors and nurses are so caring. I also have support with Care Partners team that sees me monthly for any physical, emotional and spiritual needs, at my home.
My family and friends are so supportive and are there for me. I couldn’t do it without them. They keep me in perspective of my thoughts and my future.
I keep myself busy keeping the house in order, gardening, crafts. I stopped all my volunteering at Hospice, Grey Roots (there for 13 years in the schoolhouse) and the Bognor Hall Board .
I am not the same active person, and it is difficult for me to accept, therefore I get anxiety. I have cancelled social activities at the last minute.
I now see things differently than I did before. Before, I took life for granted. Now, life is very precious. I value each and every day.
If you were able to give advice to those who are newly diagnosed with Cancer, what would you want them to know?
What I would want for new diagnosed cancer patients is to never give up. Seek as much information as you can and only do what is best for you, not for others. Be true to yourself. Give yourself permission to cry, vent, scream, it is well deserved. Listen to your body, it will tell you what it needs. Eat healthy, drink plenty of water, rest and get enough sleep to rejuvenate your body. Do what makes you happy. Accept help from family, and good friends. Connect with the Cancer Society Help Line, Care Partners, Home Care, Cancer groups that are going through the same things as you are, exchange info with peer support groups. There is transportation available to get you to your appointments. Through cancer society or your local hospitals will provide wigs, hats, lap blankets and prothesis.
No one should face cancer alone!
For those who are not physically effects by cancer but have loved ones who are, what advice would you give them to best help?
My advice for loved ones is to just be there, listen. Sometimes you do not need to talk or give advice or recommendations. (Doctor’s job) Cry with them, hold them. I am here for you, whatever you need. That is support. Silence is okay, they are going through heavy stuff. When they feel safe, they will tell you their needs, insecurities and fears. I read in one cancer blog, “If one more person tells me, I look good I’m going to scream”. How you look outside is truly different to how you are feeling inside. I heard and still here that statement. I think people don’t know what to say or can’t understand what you are feeling or what physical and emotional trauma cancer patients are going through. When I speak, for myself, I did put up a strong front and some colleagues had no idea I was having cancer treatment. Most times I would fake my well being. I don’t do that now. I have good days and bad days and when I am asked, I tell them. I always thank them for their concerns.
Virtually everyone knows someone who has suffered with cancer. I ask everyone to be generous to help with cancer research. We have come along way but have much more to discover. Become a donor, and help to support early detection. I am a six-time cancer survivor. I believe in miracles!
