Shirley Nyrose was celebrating her 40th wedding anniversary one week, and in the hospital having her just-discovered colorectal cancer operated on the next.


When diagnosed, her first question to her oncologist was short but direct: “I said – ‘I don’t have time to die – so what are we going to do about it?’”

She has now passed the milestone of five years cancer-free. To look at her today you would never know the journey taken - Nyrose lives her life with as much vigor and good humour as she always has.

Her operation and subsequent 30 rounds of chemotherapy slowed her down. She suffered lapses in her memory (which turned out to be temporary) and lost days to fatigue. She endured pain and nausea and often wondered how she could keep going.

Nyrose’s gritty determination to keep going was driven by faith and family. Prior to every chemotherapy treatment, Nyrose’s pastor would come to the house to say a prayer with her. Her fellow parishioners delivered meals, did the dishes and stayed for visits when Nyrose was up to the company. Her grandchildren came by at the end of their school day to keep grandma’s spirits up. “They would lie down beside me and talk about their day. It meant everything to me.”

Her husband, who had for forty years been taken care of by his wife, learned how to cook, clean and do the ironing. “I couldn’t believe how carefully he looked after me,” Nyrose recalls, “and he still brings me my tea and cereal every morning!”

The pair made their trips to the hospital for treatment ‘outings’ and husband Elmer (whom she calls Lefty) would bake treats for the other patients and staff: “My husband would make rice crispie and puffed wheat squares, or buttertarts – and we’d take something with us every time we went.”

Nyrose offers this advice to others, based on her experiences:

• Get regular exercise. She does water exercises and cycling.
• Accept that rest is a necessity, not a luxury anymore.
• Use humor – it helps you get through grim times.
• Don’t worry, and don’t slip into a “poor me” mentality; use moral support from others. In her case, friends, family, and prayer all helped.
• Looks after yourself, and give yourself some treats, like pedicures or manicures.
• Eat properly – focus on a low fat diet with lots of fruit.
• Enjoy life. In her case, she volunteers and gets involved with things that she finds fun – like making perogies, taking people on park tours, and travel.

“I rest when I get tired, stay out of the sun, and enjoy each day.” says Nyrose. “I am just thrilled to be here.”