Rosanne with Debbie Kerr
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Navigating Cancer, Work, and Humor
Debbie’s story is one of resilience, humor, and the often-unspoken challenges of navigating cancer while striving to maintain a sense of normalcy. Living near Toronto, Canada, Debbie was diagnosed in 2011 with Stage II hormone-positive breast cancer at the age of 49. Over the next decade, she underwent treatments and surgeries, completing her medical journey in 2020. Today, she channels her experiences into health literacy advocacy, patient education, and writing on her blog, Laughter and Cancer, as well as in her book, When Cancer Takes Flight.
Here’s a glimpse into Debbie’s inspiring and humorous perspective on balancing work and cancer, the unexpected realities of survivorship, and the power of laughter.
Finding Stability in Work During Cancer Treatments
For Debbie, work wasn’t just a job—it was a lifeline. As a Business Systems Analyst (BSA), continuing her professional routine during chemotherapy and radiation gave her a sense of productivity and stability amid chaos. While many survivors understandably step back during cancer treatments, Debbie chose to lean in, finding solace and normalcy in her career.
However, working through treatment came with its own challenges. For example, returning to a business-casual workplace with only one breast presented a unique obstacle. With her prosthetic delayed due to medical reasons, Debbie had to improvise. Enter: the Cancer Society’s Welcome Kit, which included a football-shaped interim breast form. With no instructions provided, Debbie found herself experimenting. Ultimately, she found a solution—stuffing the form with $20 worth of quarters to achieve balance. While unconventional, it worked, and as she joked, she always had vending machine change on hand.
Embracing Humor Through the Wig Saga
Hair loss was another hurdle, one that Debbie tackled with her characteristic humor. She recalls how a coworker helped her pick out a wig during lunch, which she promptly wore back to the office. To her surprise, she received more compliments on the wig than on her natural hair. Debbie humorously debated whether she should ever return to her real hair.
But as her hair grew back, transitioning away from the wig brought its own set of challenges. Nervous about how coworkers would react, she carried her wig in her lunch bag for “just in case” moments. Eventually, she embraced her growing hairline, even whipping off her wig among colleagues to celebrate her progress.
When Life and Cancer Collide
Debbie’s work environment accommodated her needs, allowing her to bank extra hours for days when treatment left her fatigued. Despite these efforts, she faced an unexpected twist: a layoff. After seven years with her company, she was let go in a downsizing initiative shortly after completing her cancer treatments.
It was during this difficult transition that she met Roseanne, a career coach hired by the company to assist displaced employees. The two bonded over their shared experiences with cancer. Roseanne became a friend and source of comfort during a tough period, though, tragically, her cancer returned, and she passed away. Debbie cherishes the friendship they shared and continues to honor her memory.
The Role of Humor in Healing
Laughter has been a constant in Debbie’s life, helping her navigate difficult moments with grace and lightness. She recalls family gatherings where humor lightened even the heaviest topics, and she carried this approach into her cancer journey. Whether it was joking about misplacing her prosthetic or creating a “boob bowl” by the door, humor became a coping mechanism for her and her loved ones.
For Debbie, humor isn’t just about easing her own pain—it’s a way to connect with others and make the unimaginable more bearable. “It takes the edge off,” she says. Even now, years into survivorship, humor remains an intuitive part of her identity.
The Challenges of Long-Term Survivorship
Debbie’s story also sheds light on the complexities of life after cancer. From “scanxiety” to unexpected triggers like hospital settings that remind her of treatment, the emotional and mental toll persists long after the physical scars have healed. Debbie acknowledges the lingering PTSD that many survivors face, as well as the fear of recurrence that accompanies routine check-ups.
Her mantra—“Everything’s okay until proven otherwise”—has been a grounding force for her. She uses it not only for health-related fears but also as a reminder of her resilience. “You dealt with cancer. You can handle this,” she tells herself when facing new challenges.
Finding Hope and Connection
Debbie’s story resonates with anyone navigating life’s curveballs, cancer-related or not. Her ability to balance humor, vulnerability, and determination is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure and thrive. For those currently battling cancer or adjusting to life in survivorship, Debbie’s journey offers hope, practical wisdom, and a reminder that it’s okay to laugh, even in the darkest moments.
As Debbie reflects on her experiences, she emphasizes the importance of finding what works for each individual. For her, working through treatments provided a sense of purpose and distraction, while humor kept her grounded. Everyone’s path is different, but her story proves that even in the face of adversity, there’s room for light, laughter, and love.
Writing Prompt Inspired by Today’s Episode
Set your timer for eight minutes. Write without stopping in response to the following prompt.
A funny thing happened in Cancerland.
Dig for those humorous, quirky and weird things that have happened to you since your diagnosis. Give them a little space on the page and see what comes out.
If you find that you write best with a good prompt, check out our free prompts and learn about our writing workshops.
Happy writing! Until next time, take good care.
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