LAKELAND - Lyndi Mills is a survivor.
Mills, who lives outside of Athabasca with her family, has been cancer-free for 13 years. She says she’s a survivor because she’s a fighter.
“I didn’t give up,” she told Lakeland This Week.
Mills’ battle with cancer began in March, 2011, just before she turned 38, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Upon first being diagnosed, Mills felt fearful. However, this trepidation quickly turned into the mindset that she had no other choice than to deal with it and keep pushing forward.
“I kind of made peace with it right away,” she said.
Wasting no time, doctors put Mills on a very intensive chemotherapy regimen that lasted for six months. That September, she had surgery and also underwent radiation therapy.
Mills continued to undergo chemotherapy for just over three more years even though she had been cancer-free after eight months of treatment, something that she was unaware of. This chemotherapy, she said, was done as a preventative measure.
“It was something that I wasn’t even aware of, that I was cancer free,” she said. “I just assumed to be because I was still doing chemotherapy.”
Looking back, Mills said it was not only her positive attitude and the medical treatment she received-but also the thought of not being there for her husband and children-that served as a motivator for her to persevere and eventually declare victory over the disease.
“I just couldn’t even imagine who the heck would raise my kids even though I have an awesome husband…it’s just not the same,” she said. “That’s what gave me the fight was to be there for my kids…to raise my kids.”
Upon finding out Mills had cancer, many people came forward to generously offer their love and support. This included rides to appointments, meals, and even to help babysit her children.
Quite a few of these folks, she said, were people whom she knew more in passing or as acquaintances than as close friends.
“I don’t think I ever felt so much love in my entire life,” she told Lakeland This Week, reminiscing about the assistance she and her family received from the community during those months she battled cancer.
Mills currently sits on the board of the Road to Hope Community Support Foundation, a non-profit group that provides free transportation to appointments for those living with cancer in the Athabasca and Lac La Biche areas. Mills was also once a client of the charitable group, which she says was an amazing experience. She said the assistance with transportation helped her family save much-needed money and helped reduce stresses of a very busy and very emotional time.
She has done public relations work for the organization and has shared her personal story with others.
“People are definitely more inclined to help out when there’s a personal story attached to it,” she said.
When asked what advice she would give to those who are battling cancer - any pointers on what it takes to be a survivor - Mills said people need to know that there is always hope. Being surrounded by as many people as possible who are supportive, she said, is vital.
“Just surround yourself with loving, safe people,” she stated.
