For the last two years, Lea Smirfitt has been living with and fighting ovarian cancer.
First diagnosed in 2023, Smirfitt has undergone several months of chemotherapy and surgery to remove the cancer. She remarked that she was stunned but not surprised by the diagnosis after experiencing symptoms for several months. She noted she got through it with a combination of positive thinking and the support of her friends and family.
"Me being who I am I have to go at something positively. If I let myself go into the dark areas that can take off," Smirfitt said. "I'm somebody who really believes you have to look for the positive and have hope. There have been days when the hope was hard to hold onto but then I need to reach out to those people and places that are really important to me to bring hope. I'm very fortunate to have really good people who are there for me."
A longtime retired resident of the South Cariboo, Smirfitt makes her home in the 111 Mile Valley where she and her husband Peter first moved 40 years ago. Before retiring, Smirfitt worked locally in community development to try and bring the community together to solve issues. She's also worked in various volunteer roles, all with a focus on encouraging the community to build relationships.
At the end of the day, whether working, volunteering or just living in the community, forming relationships is deeply important to Smirfitt. She noted that everyone has unique life experiences and the opportunity to share those life experiences, in her opinion, enriches everybody.
"I've tried to do that and support people to come together over the years in different ways," Smirfitt said. "I was involved with the Women's Centre, I was involved with the Women's Business Association 30 some odd years ago and I worked for the Canadian Mental Health Association. I did lots of accounting over the years when I needed something that fit in a little box."
In the fall of 2022, Smirfitt began to feel sick and not herself. Worried, Smirfitt said she went to the doctor to get blood work done to try and find out what was wrong.
Like many people in the South Cariboo in recent years, Smirfitt said she had seen changes in her doctor and as a result didn't have a personal relationship with one. She noted it was a bit intimidating to go to someone she didn't know, especially when her concerns weren't being listened to.
"At one point I had seen a doctor that wasn't my regular doctor and I asked if I could see a gastroenterologist because a lot of my symptoms seemed related to my digestive system," Smirfitt said. "I was referred and that particular doctor was not happy about making the referral, but he did it, and was probably the best thing that happened to me."
Around this time she had begun to lose weight at a rapid rate, her iron levels were falling and she felt weaker and weaker as each day passed. Believing something was wrong with her digestive system she visited the gastroenterologist in Kamloops for answers. After doing a couple of procedures that were inconclusive, the doctor told her they would get to the bottom of this and referred her to a gynaecologist and other specialists in the area to determine what was wrong.
Once she was in the system Smirfitt noted she was treated well with the different specialists responding quickly to her needs. Following several imaging procedures, a biopsy and an analysis of fluid collecting in her lungs, she was officially diagnosed with hereditary ovarian cancer that had spread to other areas of her body.
"I really found the system at that point responded well from a medical standpoint and an empathy standpoint, people were so supportive," Smirfitt said.
Smirfitt said that while the kindness and compassion of the medical system was great, she relied on the support of her husband, family and friends as she began chemotherapy to reduce the size of the cancer. While it was "pretty hefty chemo" she remarked it did a good job and the blood tests showed it was effective.
Once the cancer was small enough to operate on Smirfitt said she had extensive surgery before being placed back on chemo to clean up any cancer that was missed. With her surgery now behind her, Smirfitt said she is on a maintenance program to keep the cancer in remission, taking two pills twice a day for the next year and three months.
"I'm feeling lucky because I know some people's physical systems don't handle the chemo as well as mine has. I think I'm doing well," Smirfitt said. "I'm 70 years old, I've had MS for more than 35 years, I have cancer and I'm on chemo. I think I'm doing really well."
One thing Smirfitt really appreciated was the ability to access local community cancer services. By getting to know a familiar face and building a relationship with them she felt much more comfortable and was able to avoid the stress of travelling long distances.
"Rather than having to travel to Kelowna, I have met with my oncologist via Zoom in my home twice. Again, the stress of travel was alleviated, while the time online was dedicated to discussing my situation and treatment," Smirfitt said. "So far, this treatment has been quite successful and I feel fortunate."
When asked what advice she would give someone recently diagnosed with cancer, Smirfitt said everyone's cancer is different and what worked for her may not work for others. She does believe, however, that hope, physical activity and getting a good night's sleep are incredibly important. She is hopeful her story can inspire others who have received similar diagnoses.
Smirfitt said that the best thing a friend or family member of someone who is diagnosed with cancer can do is simply ask them what they need. That way you can help them in a way they want, rather than doing something you think they want.
"I think it's important people recognize everyone is uniquely different and what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for the other person," Smirfitt said. "Take care of yourself and those you love, that's perhaps the most important message."
