Booby trap

Awesome. This is not a word that you would expect from someone who battled breast cancer two years ago.

“I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in June 2005,” Kathy Conti, a central sterile supply aide responsible for preparing surgical equipment for operations at the Brantford General Hospital, recalled. “I was only 52- years old when I was diagnosed. They tested and re-tested, then Dr. Hadley sent me to see Dr. Schnider and surgery was complete a couple of weeks later. My son Sebastian was married in August that year and three days after the wedding I began my chemotherapy treatments.” She laughs, “I had my hair for his wedding. Fifteen days after my chemotherapy I was bald!”

Kathy's experience with the healthcare system, this time as a patient, has been very positive. “Right from the beginning through to today, I have been cared for by positive, helpful people. The actual experience sucked, but the amount of support has been unbelievable.” She described her cancer as ‘nasty' and following chemotherapy Kathy had radiation twice a day for a week. “The cancer clinic staff here are awesome- I cannot tell you enough about the clinic and all the staff.”

As Kathy continued her recovery, the hospital changed her duties here at work and arranged for her to come in 4-hours a day. This allowed for everything, as Kathy described, to remain fairly normal.

Now, a breast cancer survivor, Kathy is more thankful than ever.

“I had no risk factors at all- other than I am female,” she smiles, accompanied by her infectious laugh. “My co-workers say I do everything right- eating, exercise.”

Kathy heard about the ‘Weekend to End Breast Cancer'- a 60 kilometer, 2-day walk held in Toronto recently, so she convinced her sisters to enter. Last May 24th weekend their training became fairly intense. Sandra Bigger and Roseanne Murchie both live in Brantford and Holly Burnett who is a nurse in London, called themselves ‘The Booby Trap.' Their motto was ‘sisters making a difference' and they sold hot pink coloured wrist bands emblazoned with the slogan to help raise the $8,000 entry fee required for the walk. They also had barbecues at Zehrs.

“We turned our training into a social event,” Kathy smiles. “Three times a week we walked. Sometimes we would meet in Ingersoll, another time we went to Niagara-on-the-Lake.” Her personal goal for participating in the ‘Weekend to End Breast Cancer' was to help raise money and provide awareness and information for people touched by breast cancer.

With the training behind them, and the $8,000 in fundraising complete, the Booby Trap team was ready for walk.

Over 5,000 arrived at Exhibition Park to begin their 2-day, 60- kilometer trek.

“The first day was very hot,” Kathy said. “It took us from 7 AM until 5 PM to walk the 35- kilometers to Downsview Park. The next day we had another 25-kilometers and it rained! All the survivors wore pink lanyards and there was lots of energy and excitement and we shared many stories. Our team was amazing. We all crossed the finish line together. We had no blisters or sore muscles. Although my feet were not as happy as when I started.” Kathy described it as a good tired.

Kathy said the weekend was ‘awesome.' The same word her husband, daughters, granddaughters, sisters, co-workers and others use to describe Kathy.

Gary Chalk is senior executive director- public affairs & development for the Brant Community Healthcare System. Brantford General is a regional health centre providing primary, emergency and specialized services. The Willett, Paris, is a multi-service health centre providing urgent care, primary care and community outreach programs.