'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
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.