Laurie Hinsperger

Age: 36
Diagnosis: Colon Cancer
Age at Diagnosis: 28
Hometown: Ottawa, ON

Biography:

I was diagnosed with Stage Three Colon Cancer at the age of 28. My ordeal began in early March 2004 when I was misdiagnosed with mononucleosis. By month-end my symptoms had greatly worsened to the point of my collapse. I finally went to the hospital where I received some bad news. The doctors had found a sizeable tumour in my large intestine and I required immediate multiple blood transfusions and surgery. Surgery to remove the tumor was successful; however, the cancer had spread meaning that I would have to undergo six months of chemotherapy treatments. Very fortunately for me, I had a loving family and caring group of friends who helped me through the difficult treatments that caused sores in my mouth, raw feet, tiredness, reoccurring episodes of diarrhea and hair loss. Now, almost seven years later I am happy to report that I am cancer free and enjoying the
feeling of my hair blowing in the wind.

My biggest challenges throughout my cancer journey were access to resources and support. The resources being financial aid, transportation services to and from my treatments and access to a dietitian considering the kind of cancer I had. There was no support for someone my age to help deal with the financial (student loans), emotional (fear of dying), physical (weight loss/gain, digestion and absorption of essential vitamins and minerals, accelerated bone degeneration in my ankle and having children) and social challenges (dealing with friends and family). I still face some of these challenges today being a survivor and trying to find that “normalcy” in my life again.

I signed up for the trip because I feel I am part of a special and unique group of young adults with cancer. I enjoy when we share our experiences and talk about our unique challenges with each other. I believe this trip will help young adults with cancer make that all important connection with each other on a deeper, more spiritual level. We will help to create much needed awareness about young adults with cancer and thereby promote prevention, treatment and ultimately the finding of a cure.

It wasn’t at all what I expected. It went beyond my expectations. This adventure was a unique one that everyone should experience and unlike anything I have ever been or I think will ever experience unless I attend another one but I want to leave that for people who have yet to experience it. There are no words to describe the people, the bonds and relationships created and family that was created with all, not just the participants, packaged with great challenges and amazing scenery.

The trip had a huge impact on my life. My possibilities are endless both spirituality and physically. I know that this was something I feared but I took that fear and used it to my advantage and kept on. I take it into my life now and use it to motivate me to move forward and not be afraid of what there is to come. I know that there is a plan for me and the way will be shown to me through many signs and events. I think this very opportunity was a sign to show that there is more in me, more potential that I had not yet seen but had always been there and needed
a way to get out. Thanks for your dream, Mikey and Bonnie, and letting me be a part of it and seeing that hidden potential!

There are so many memories to choose from but I would say my favorite memory is being given the second opportunity with the camera on the kayak to prove to myself that I could make it down a rapid while staying in my boat. I was the very first one with the camera on my kayak. I had a hard fall out of my kayak that scared me and I didn’t want to get into my kayak again. I did, through the support of my community of friends, and on the second opportunity I was very successful, going down backwards like a pro! Ironically, that was the way I made it down
most of the rapids!