Lisa Garland

Lisa Garland has been through a lot, more than anyone can ever imagine going through. With two infants facing cancer, Lisa had no choice but to show up for the challenges that she was facing. The excruciating pain of watching her children go through treatment, all while managing her own state of mind, has had a cost to her well-being. She is moving forward, taking care of herself by exercising daily, and she continues to inspire others, and be inspired, by what she and her young family have had to go through. She is a strong, passionate, loving and caring woman who is this week’s Woman of the Week.

Tell us a little about yourself

I am married with 3 kids ( 2 boys 5,8, 1 girl 13 )and 3 dogs. I started a medical foot care clinic called Tired Sole after going through the fight I had when my lil men were sick, and I had to be an advocate for those who had no voice.

Funny, my only hobby is the gym. I love, love the gym and go 6 days a week when I can, as it is my stress relief.

My passion is my work as a nurse. I love to see people smile and feel better about themselves. I love making a difference in someone’s life. It’s the best feeling knowing they now do what they couldn’t before. It’s not easy by any means, and it does take its toll some days,  but I love it enough to call it a passion.

Activities are best done with family. I love the outdoors, the water and being busy. The kids are the same way, and love the outdoors.

Who inspires you in your life? Who do you look up to? And why?

As many moms would say, I draw inspiration from my kids. I look at them and my heart is full. I look up to them as they look up to me. Matteo is my 8 year old, he blows my mind daily.

Through him, I get my strength and my desire to do better and to be better. He calms me and when he is around. I know all is ok. Kinda harsh to put so much on one lil kid but as I suffer from PTSD in the nastiest way, Matteo reminds me that living life every day is a must, and to do something that scares you daily even if its just getting out of bed.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your life?

Oh boy, this could take forever but, here it is. I was married once before in my 20’s. I had a beautiful baby girl, named Jayden. My ex cheated and I fought for custody of my daughter and won. It was harsh and very, very, very expensive, but when it comes to my kids, I will do anything.

In my 30’s, I married my childhood best friend. We were inseparable from 12 years old and on. Always kept in touch and always in each others lives. My ex hated him – lol.

I had issues being able to have kids and took meds for it. It become really stressful and insane. Once it was all over and we decided enough is enough, we got pregnant with Matteo.

At 16 months, Matteo was diagnosed with bladder cancer. It was a long process to even get CHEO (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario) to help him and by the time they listened, he was in acute renal failure and had a tumour that was 5×7. So nasty.

I just hit fight mode and didn’t stop, for the relapse in his prostate or the removal of both his bladder and prostate. I just kept fighting and fighting for him. 45 blood transfusions, 25 platelets, 35 doses of radiation, all before he was 2.5 years old.  Saying it was a complete nightmare is an understatement.

He was so sick; he needed tubes, and we never left the hospital. It was our home.  I would lay with him all day and evening, even in the little crib (they tried to kick me out). Oh and during all that I time, I had a baby. Yup, little Nicco was born when Matteo was in the middle of his relapse, and well, I just handed this newborn over to my mom and laid with Matteo.

I never even knew my baby till he was 6 months old. I pumped in the hospital and fed both boys with it. I was tired, had no clue where or who was with my daughter after school. I just knew it was covered. I was tired, scared, traumatized by those kids whith the same issues who had passed on. I was never going to let Matteo see me sweat, or any of the kids for that matter. We just fought.

Matteo made it through his long, hard 3.5 years and he has so many more issues he will face.  I’m scared but he is breathing and he smiles all the time, so he will help me get through what we need to get through when we go through it ( that’s a mouthful).

Nicco is now 2 and I finally got to know him. He is skittish, hates loud sounds and startles easy. They say its from the stressful pregnancy and hearing the screams and crying of the other kids while I was living at CHEO.

Nicco was pale and bruised like most kids but his moods just got worse. He was hard to handle at times.

“Nicco has Leukemia. He is now in the ER”, I get this call. I knew something was going to be bad. Jayden, my daughter, now 10, screams. “He has cancer, right? He has cancer?” and falls to her knees and could not stop crying. I was in a state of shock.

I stayed home for a couple days, in bed, and refused to move, as Nicco and Daddy tried to scurry through what kind of leukemia he had. I got my ASS to CHEO and out of my room about 3 days into it for Nicco. I was in full PTSD mode, having  kicked in from the end of Matteo’s treatment. I was in a fog.

Nurses came crying. Managers crying. All saying they’re so sorry, as they help Nicco as an infant when he was allowed to visit Matteo. AHHHHH I was so messed up. In the end, Nicco is a trooper and loved the attention. A couple of transfusions and some platelets, and he was ready to go. Sheesh, I was a mess.

Nicco’s treatments lasted 3.5 years and has now just come to an end. He is 5 and goes monthly to be sure it does not come back.  He did well and Matteo helped him. Jade was angry and does not believe in God anymore (she goes to catholic school too).  Every pain that she has makes her think she has cancer.  It never ends, even when its done.

My Dad passed last year of cancer and heart related issues.  I was lost, still am. It hurts like no other pain one can feel. As I try to heal, I get another blow, but I stand up and keep trying. I have these amazing kids who fought through the unthinkable, so I can too.

What did you do to move through them? What did you learn? What do you wish to share with others?

Honestly, I was drugged, for lack of a better way of putting it. Aniexty meds helped me get through, as nothing else could and I was broken.  It was just way too much.

I learned that “ you only know how strong you are till its the only choice you have”. People say, “You’re so strong.  How did you do it? I could never!!”.  You can do it and you would if you had to.

What are you most proud of?

Of course, it’s a given –  I’m proud of the kids. But I’m also proud of me.  I did it, and I made it out, able to speak about it. I know my limits and I know I will never be the same.  In some ways, I am broken. Not my spirit but my mind is.  It was so much to handle that I can’t handle too much theses days. I know my limits and I’m proud of that.

I work hard to run a business that is growing every day. I have a great team and support staff.  I speak at fundraisers and so does Matteo. We teach that life can, and will, go on.

I’m proud Ive been able to get to this place and this far. I can leave my house and I can take a walk without freaking out in a panic. I can let the kids have a sleep over and be away from them because it’s ok.

What do you want your older self to know?

Never ever forget.

Favourite quote.

I have two. One is from work;  #PreventionIsKey

The other is , “You’ll only know how strong you are, till it’s the only choice you have.”