Sister Saturdays – Jennie Arsenault
“The second I met Jennie, I knew she was Canadian. Okay, once her name was drawn in the lottery, I may have glanced at a couple of application notes. But you see it in her smile right away: Jennie is the kind of person you want around to multi-sport with at the crack of dawn, she can make you a latte with maple syrup and then will offer to chop your wood all before her boys wake up to the day. She’s a keener. ‘YES! I want to learn how to surf!’ she exclaimed at 2019’s Ocean Wellness Retreat, always the first one in the water, last one out at the end of the session. She wants to do it all, but still makes time for her family, her friends, and loved ones, and even new friends and experiences. All of this while being very invested in her own health and finding her way on the confusing, sometimes lonely, path of cancer as a young woman and mother. She also took time out of her own story and schedule last fall to listen to others and hold space for her fellow cancer sisters. She’s a beautiful listener, a beautiful do-er, and I see only beautiful things for her on this healing path. Thank you Jennie for all of your enthusiasm and raw honesty!” – Megan Pischke, B4BC Wellness and Community Director
Tell us where you are on your path. Would you consider it a ‘cancer journey’ or ‘healing path’?
Right now, I am post right breast mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation. I’ve been recommended by my oncologist to be on tamoxifen for the next 5-10 years, however, I’ve had so many side effects from it that I’ve had to go off of it twice, and am currently off. Before, while I was undergoing surgery and treatment, I would have called it a cancer journey, but now my aim is to be healed. So I’d consider it a healing path. I’ve made some big lifestyle changes compared to my pre-cancer life. While I am still trying to figure out what to do about the tamoxifen, I’m looking for ways to reduce my estrogen levels naturally.
Yoga? Meditation? Sports? Nature? How do they support your overall well-being?
They all do so much!!! If I make time for a few of those a week, it’s amazing how much more grounded I feel. The gym makes me feel stronger and in control of my health. It also keeps me way more honest on the snack front. Although I haven’t been to yoga in months, I love it for the deep stretch and calming effect. Golf for the “me” time and exercise with a dose of nature. Now that summer is here, nature is much more inviting. I really, really struggle to get outside with the long winter months. But take me to the beach every day and I’d never complain. 🙂
Integrated therapies? Could you recommend any for someone newly diagnosed?
I think that it’s really important to look into every option you have available to you and research it. For me, we do not have many integrated therapy options available here, but one of the first people I saw was my naturopath. Just getting her advice helped me in processing what I was going through. And I still look to her for my aftercare.
Do you feel supported enough with the emotional/psychological aspects that cancer brings?
I think I feel supported enough most of the time. Cancer didn’t really hit me until it was all over and I was in the clear. And now, getting a test result back can be very unsettling for me. It can create a lot of worry. So when that happens, I reach out to the friends and family who best support me and put my trust in God.
Today, what is the best way for you to feel GOOD?
Today, rise before the kids and jump start my day with an intense workout. A cup of coffee on the back deck. Get to the beach. Go for a 5k run. Do fun things with the boys like bike rides, a dip in the hot tub, drive the dirt bike. Visit with a friend, get a lobster roll. A long weekend camping. At the end of the day, pray and be in a caloric deficit.
Survivorship or thrivership? Please define what they mean to you.
In my mind, survivorship is coming together with other women who have been or are going through breast cancer. Thrivership is sort of the same thing, but to me, it’s seeking ways to prosper post-cancer—ways to enhance your life and ultimately prevent cancer from ever coming back. And for me, that’s living a healthier lifestyle.
Is there anyone in particular who you want to give a shout out to?
I have some incredibly sweet and caring friends that work in the medical field (and are so humble and would never want to be put in such a spotlight) who have been the most amazing support. They truly are lights in this world, and I’ll forever be grateful for their guidance in all aspects of my life. 💕
