Jen Luce

Age: 29
Diagnosis: Endodermal Sinus Tumour (Ovarian Cancer)
Age at Diagnosis: 33
Hometown: Richmond, BC

Biography

#1. When you were diagnosed and when you finished treatments
I was diagnosed with germ cell ovarian cancer in 2006 at the age of 29. I had my right ovary and fallopian tube removed, along with a red mango sized tumour. I began chemotherapy a month later within days of receiving the diagnosis. Chemotherapy was awful, but it only lasted three months – though those three months felt like decades at the time.

#2. What was the biggest issue you faced throughout your cancer journey?
The biggest issue I faced throughout my cancer journey was isolation due to pain, and overall discomfort. I didn’t want to interact with anyone, I just felt awful most of the time. I became depressed and secluded myself. I couldn’t find anyone with the same type of cancer as mine, and support groups for ovarian cancer were not for the type I had. I had a curable cancer, these other ladies did not and many were in late stages. I’m kind of glad I didn’t really know what that had actually meant.

#3. Why did you sign up for the trip?
I knew the trip would change my focus for the better. I feel it’s important to learn about oneself, and what better way to do that than with peers, in an adventure setting. Through my cancer journey, I learned that I really needed balance in my life. Balance means something different to everyone. To me, it means that what’s most important to me at that point in my life takes more precedence than other, less important things.

#4. Was it what you expected?
Well, I’ve experienced life in a wonderfully broad array of ways, and I know that putting expectations on situations is silly, so, I didn’t precipitate how it could be, other than completely amazing.

#5. How did the trip impact you?

I’m still not entirely sure. I think that the film created a deeper compassion within my heart, and the capacity to love so much more in my life. Love everything and be as equal and unassuming as possible. It’s not always easy. It’s more simple to get caught up in life. But I keep coming back to the river. Those days out there were the most serene, soul finding, amazing days of my life. The relationships. The scenery. The stories. The cause. So incredible. Whenever I’m having a “not-so-great” day, I’m brought back to a time on the river, when someone said something so prolific that it has changed my life. “Look at the bigger picture. The bigger story.” Anything you suffer only lasts a small fraction of your life. So cherish the rest of those days, and know that everything you do, affects someone else, who in turn affects someone…you get the drift. I’m happy to have been a part of such amazing work.

#6. Favorite memory in 2 sentences or less
The huge accomplishments of everyone on the trip, and knowing how many people have opened their minds because of this project.