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Hope amidst diagnosis

In the summer of 2020, Emily Powell received a diagnosis that would change her life.

A devastating diagnosis

In the summer of 2020, Emily Powell received a diagnosis that would change her life. The 30-year-old had stage 4 metastatic breast cancer that had spread to her liver, spine, and lymph nodes. She needed immediate treatment.

Emily’s oncologist at Oak Valley Health’s Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) started her on estrogen inhibitors to prevent the cancer from spreading and maybe even shrink it.

Two years ago, the treatment was doing its job and Emily was trying her best to manage her life with cancer. “There are days when I feel hopeful and days when I’m not in the mood to face it,” she admitted.

Today, Emily is receiving intravenous chemotherapy along with other medications to treat her cancer. She tells us she’s had a physically gentle cancer journey so far, largely due to her care team at MSH.

“The entire team at MSH has made all the difference – especially the oncologists,” Emily says. “They are extremely compassionate people and I always feel safe under their care. I would be having a much tougher time if it wasn’t for the kind staff at MSH.”

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A journey of hope with MSH

Emily has so much faith in her care team, she’s moving ahead with her life and looking forward to a bright future. “The love of my life and I got married in late April,” she says. “The plans all came together, and it was a dream wedding.”

Emily will continue to receive the life-saving cancer care she needs at MSH. She says it’s extremely important to receive treatment in her own community, especially on days she feels fatigued.

“It’s so much easier to zip around the corner and be back home within an hour rather than making a half-day (or longer) trip downtown,” Emily says.

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MSH is a huge reason I’m able to look ahead with so much positivity.

Emily Powell

Grateful for community support

In addition to the immense gratitude Emily feels for her care team, she’s also grateful to supporters like you who help bring a lifetime of care close to home by funding life-saving equipment and technology at MSH.

“I feel much more comfortable when I know I’m being treated with the newest and best technology,” she says. “Your generosity makes all the difference. Thanks to your support, I’m living a happy life with my husband, beloved dog, and hedgehog. I want to live and enjoy life as long as I can.”

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