'They’re going to keep me going': N.S. woman grateful for care, compassion at QEII Health Sciences Centre
An Amherst, N.S., woman is sharing her cancer journey as a way to inspire others.
Susie Hicks-Gordon, 54, was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer two years ago.
But, she hasn’t let her diagnosis change her outlook on life.
Susie remains positive, grateful for every moment she spends with her family.
“My cancer journey started in February 2021,” she explains. “I entered the Amherst hospital with an unknown diagnosis at that point. I was in the hospital for about three weeks until I travelled to the QEII and started with testing, some biopsies and went home to wait.”
That spring, Susie was diagnosis with hepatocellular carcinoma – stage four liver cancer.
Susie says there were many tears at first, but she promised herself she wouldn’t let the diagnosis bring her down.
“I think the unknown is worse sometimes, not knowing,” she adds. “But once I found out, and I found out there wasn’t a cure, but there is treatment, I had to change my thoughts on everything. This is what I have to do. I’m a positive person anyway, so I felt like it was time to be strong and stand up.”
Susie worked closely with doctors Alison Wallace and Mark Walsh at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.
Her tumour was removed shortly after her diagnosis, and chemotherapy treatments followed.
But about one year later, her tumour had grown to a size that required another surgery.
“I see her every six months just to keep an eye on her,” explains Walsh, Susie’s surgeon. “She’s not like other patients that we have, some patients I have operated on three times for various types of issues, not exactly what she has. Her mutation is extremely rare and it can be inherited by family members, so we’ll screen them too, all of them.”
At Susie’s most recent check-up with Walsh, her bloodwork and scans looked good.
Walsh credits the entire QEII Health Sciences Centre team for their dedication to patients each and every day.
He says it’s important for him to form positive relationships with his patients, like Susie.
“The best thing about clinic is meeting people,” he says. “I always ask them what they do, and where they’re from – always. Because that creates a bond, right? You’re not just some doctor telling them they need this cut out or whatever. And she’s just a warm, and generous person.”
Susie says she is grateful for the quality of care and compassion she receives at the QEII Health Sciences Centre – a place that has extended her life.
“They’re going to keep me going,” she says. “As long as they can, and I have the right mind set to keep going as well.”
Giving Susie more time to live her life, with the people she loves.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.