Vera Samarkina has had a transformative decade. It was ten years ago that she was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. “My oncologist tried his best to maintain a certain level of quality of life, looking for less harsh yet effective treatments,” she says. “His prognosis was far from promising, but he did his best to keep my body going.”
Following treatment with chemotherapy and radiation, as well as participation in an immunotherapy trial, Vera says she is now living an active and fulfilling life. Acknowledging the many difficult days she’s experienced since her diagnosis, she says she’s also grateful for all the positives cancer has given her.
“My family had immigrated from Russia to Canada about four years before my diagnosis, so I was working like crazy. There was no time to pay attention to my wellness, or the balance between my work and being a wife and mother.” Vera says having cancer made her stop and reconnect with herself. “It was a gift wrapped in barbed wire.”
Vera identifies as a cancer warrior whose family inspired her to fight for herself. “To do that, I had to completely reconsider my values and what was authentic to me.” Coming from parents who were an architect and an artist, Vera now explores her talents as a painter, writer and visual performer. “Once you’ve been given a cancer diagnosis, there’s nothing else in this world that can scare you. I’m more encouraged to now participate in things that prior to cancer, I wouldn’t dare to do.”
As a recent immigrant, Vera says it was her health care team and those helping her through many difficult moments that gave her a sense of community again. “That made me feel like the universe was supporting me. It wasn’t just me against cancer; it was us dealing with that together.”
During one recent visit to Sunnybrook, she recalls seeing a recruitment poster for the Odette Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). This group includes patient and family members who work to improve the experiences of people with cancer. “It was my birthday when I saw the poster, so joining the PFAC was my gift to myself. Now having 10 years of lived experience, it was a natural way to give back to the community.”
When she talks to other patients, Vera advises them to become their own personal Wikipedia. “Educate yourself around your diagnosis and treatment. You are an important member of the health care team.”
For Vera, many people who were on her team seem more like family now. She still has friendships and connections with many of them, and is known as the “Timbit girl” when she visits the Odette Cancer Centre. “Life can be hard, so a little sugar never hurts!”
