Tomorrow, I will receive my 200th Herceptin infusion at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, part of the University Health Network in Toronto.

When I was first diagnosed with metastatic Stage 4 ER and HER2-positive Invasive Ductal Carcinoma over twelve years ago, I was told Herceptin would be part of my life indefinitely. And that’s exactly what has happened.

This isn’t a story about a drug, though. It’s a story about what it means to endure—about rebuilding a life after cancer redefines it. My story is about learning to live fully in the face of uncertainty and finding ways to thrive even when treatment doesn’t stop.

Herceptin has been part of my survival, but the real story lives in everything that’s happened between infusions. Surgeries. Fatigue. Grief. Years of navigating complex medical systems and emotions. But also: laughter, the return to school to pursue a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, and the everyday joys I thought I might not live to see.

When I started this journey with cancer, my children were six and eight years old. Today, they are both in university. That—more than anything—reminds me why I kept showing up.

Now, I use everything I’ve learned to give back. I work as a Patient Navigator and Patient Partner, supporting others through the uncertainty of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. I walk beside them, advocate for them, and remind them that they are not alone. My lived experience has become a source of purpose, and I’m proud to be a part of efforts that make cancer care more compassionate and person-centred. It helps me make sense of everything I’ve been through, turning something challenging into something meaningful.

This weekend after treatment, I’ll travel to Newfoundland to celebrate this milestone with my sister, who recently became a breast cancer survivor herself. I never imagined she would have to face this too. But because of my diagnosis, she remained diligent with regular screening and caught hers early. That vigilance changed everything. We are living proof that awareness, advocacy, and showing up for yourself can be lifesaving.

I am deeply grateful for the incredible care I have received at Princess Margaret. The doctors, nurses, technicians, and support staff have carried me through every step of this journey with expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication. While care is never perfect, I’ve seen firsthand how the teams at Princess Margaret continue to challenge themselves to do better, from the top down. Their commitment to learning, listening, and improving is just as meaningful as their medical skill. Their presence has not only extended my life but has helped me to reclaim it.

To anyone overwhelmed by a new diagnosis or worn down by ongoing treatment: You don’t have to know what comes next. You only have to keep showing up. Healing doesn’t always mean finishing treatment. Sometimes it means learning how to live well right in the middle of it.

I am not just surviving. I’m living it with purpose, gratitude, and gusto. And it’s not over yet.

 Danelle is a mother, business owner, master’s student, and the founder of Cancer Care Doula, a person-centred support resource for people with cancer. As a long-time Patient Partner, she has collaborated with Toronto hospitals, Patient Partner organizations, and the UHN Patient Partner Program since 2017 and was honoured with UHN’s President’s Choice Award in 2022. Danelle also owned Arts Express, an arts education company serving 12 school boards for over 23 years. Today, she volunteers widely, advocates for compassionate care, and manages GUFF, a mid-century modern furniture store in East Toronto.

Princess Margaret Foundation
Wellspring Cancer Support
Canadian Cancer Society
AMS Healthcare