BARBARA Lisa, I’ve been absolutely inspired by your openness and humbled by your strength in how you’ve shared your journey. Has this been therapeutic for you? 
LISA  Being transparent and open about my experience with multiple myeloma served – and still serves – many
different purposes in my life. Going through the shock of being diagnosed with cancer, the stigma that comes with it and the fear of this incurable bone marrow blood cancer actually made me wonder: “What did I do wrong to get this?” But it didn’t occur to me to keep it a secret.

I had never even heard of multiple myeloma until I was diagnosed. When I delved deeper into it, I thought, “Wow, this is a fascinating cancer.” On one hand, it’s incurable and fatal, yet on the other hand, there’s a lot of optimism because of the breakthroughs, new protocols and drug therapies that’s changed the prognosis in the last five years. We’ve already extended our lifespan prognosis from three to five years. 

There’s a realistic chance that this can turn from fatal, to a manageable or chronic condition. And then beyond that, it’s just a matter of steps to a cure. This is why I wanted my journey to be public; the attention is a benefit. It’s a chance to change things dramatically, to change people’s lives.

B There’s been a lot of controversy on stem cell use.
L The information on stem cell research is fascinating. Unfortunately, misinformation and fear-mongering from agenda-driven politics makes some people think it may be taboo. As a spokesperson for multiple myeloma, I was able to visit the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine, and toured the research labs with Dr. Gordon Keller, one of the foremost stem cell researchers in the world. He exposed me to the potential of stem cell regenerative medicine and what it means in changing the future of debilitating disease – it is fascinating and mind boggling at the same time. This is the next big leap in medicine. Harnessing the power of stem cells has vast applications, for multiple myeloma as well as other conditions including diabetes, nerve regeneration, spinal cord injuries, and the heart – actually recreating organs in the lab.

I’m lucky that I qualified for the stem cell transplant. It’s not a standard protocol. Not all patients qualify. I was young and healthy prior to diagnosis, which made me a good candidate to harvest my own stem cells.

B Looking back now and seeing that your major symptom was fatigue, how did this lead to your diagnosis? 
L On some level I actually had adapted to my fatigue.
I had pushed myself to a point where my red blood cell count was so low, I had an emergency transfusion.
The doctor was shocked; he couldn’t believe I was still standing. Why didn’t I get medical attention before that? Because like many, I trained myself to override my body’s natural signals. I just kept going. I was taught to: ‘Get up and don’t whine!’ But then when I couldn’t get up after yoga, sometimes laying on the floor for over an hour, I realized something was wrong. My yoga practice provided the important message: “Tune in to your body; it knows best.” 

B How do you tune in to your body now?
L A combination of things. I’ve been a yoga practitioner for 12 years; about four years ago I started Moksha yoga, done in a hot room. Now I put my practice into practise. Yoga’s holistic approach brings mind, body and spirit together. The detoxifying benefits of Moksha yoga helped my body heal. On a spiritual level, it helped me access my inner being to assist my healing journey. Now I call myself a ‘cancer graduate,’ a term I borrowed from a dear friend. It completely empowered me when I heard it. I believe in the power of words and intention and these words provide a powerful intention.

B Are you still listening?
L I’m still recalibrating my attitude. It’s about breaking old patterns and looking at oneself differently. There’s such an emphasis in our society on always ‘doing.’ I’m finding my path to ‘balance.’ It’s essential.

It’s a matter of realigning everything. I made a list of my core values. Whatever I do professionally and personally must align with them. With every decision, I ask: “Is this going to serve me? Will it serve my relationships, and my health? And, is it fun?” This deliberate way of thinking was key in my decision to open a Moksha yoga studio in Brampton. I believe in the power of this yoga practice and want to share it with everyone.

B You’ve developed such strength.
L I don’t know that I’m so strong, maybe stubborn with an inexplicable air of optimism that everything is as it should be; that there is a ‘rightness’ to the universe. Even going through pain has a reason. Aside from all that, sure, it’s been a crappy time. So then you say, “I’m going through a crappy time.” Who doesn’t? Coming out the other side, I realize the blessing of the incredible support I’ve had. Now I get to pay it forward. My ‘celebrity persona’ now serves a greater purpose as a spokesperson. This is a part of my evolution and self-actualization.

My coping mechanism is to focus on positive aspects, the hope and the optimism. Even though I’m in remission, my condition is incurable. The work is not yet done. That’s why I beat the multiple myeloma drum, it is ultimately in my best interest. The next big breakthrough could save my life. What happens next? There’s a chance I’ll relapse.

B Can you still have stem cell transplants?
L I’ve banked an extra bag; it’s in a deep freeze, so absolutely. But this is a complex disease so there will be a new drug regimen, a different protocol, because the body becomes resistant. That’s what’s so essential about awareness programs to generate enough funding for the next big research breakthrough.

What’s eye-opening is the inequitable access to these cutting edge treatments across Canada. Imagine being diagnosed, not only with cancer, but with the complex, incurable, ultimately fatal multiple myeloma. And your medical specialist says, “We believe this is the best, most aggressive treatment. But, sorry, it’s not available in our province.” New drug protocols are approved provincially; there can be a wide disparity across the country. It boggles my mind that someone can be denied the most effective treatment. They’re already in a fragile, vulnerable state. If it’s not covered, who can afford out-of-province treatment at $10,000 a month?

B In your blog, The Yellow Diaries, the intimate details of your emotional and physical journey express your writing talent. When do you plan to complete your book? 
L It’s an essential part of my ongoing healing journey. My post-grad, cancer doctorate. (Lisa laughs joyfully) The book is the ripple that flows from the experience. There’s no completion date yet.

B Some things I love from The Yellow Diaries: the name, and witnessing the protocol of your own rebirth. 
L Ah, yes. Yellow, the colour of the third chakra, is the seat of the willpower; that’s the inspiration. Witnessing my own rebirth was a coping mechanism and the expression of the sheer magnitude of what I was
experiencing at the time. My protocol became the diaries, the vehicle to archive my authentic reactions and inspirations in the moment. The rebirthing was important imagery to help me through my experience – not easy and frightening on many levels. I would focus my attention on my ideas. What a privilege to experience a rebirth in the same lifetime, like a big reboot for my system.