Jori Enberg wasn’t particularly surprised the day she found out about her breast cancer diagnosis in 2020. She had gone in for a mammogram, but unlike many women who go in for the procedure, assuming the best, she was expecting the worst.  

Enberg had been following a close friend’s own journey of breast cancer; hence her suspicions became realized when she was immediately taken in for an ultrasound following her mammogram. 

“[In August] within 12 days, I had a full double mastectomy with lymph node removal. Then I started my chemotherapy in October and I finished that in January 2021, with 28 treatments of radiation in March,” she said. “In September, I went for a one-year, checkup scan and they saw a couple of things and ordered a three-month follow-up scan.” 

During that follow-up scan, doctors found that she had developed cancer in her lungs. Jori, 55, is now awaiting surgery and will go back into the operating room in approximately two weeks' time. 

“It's all moving very fast again and to be quite honest, I haven't caught up from the last round,” Enberg said. 

During her initial breast cancer diagnosis, Enberg had cancer discovered in her left breast, but she opted for a double mastectomy all the same. At the beginning stages, her doctors told her that the ductal carcinoma was at stage two.  

“When they did the surgery, they diagnosed [cancer] with stage three, so in 12 days it went up a stage,” she said. “When I was first diagnosed, it was no question take them [breasts] off; just be gone with them. “ 

However, since her double mastectomy, Enberg is planning on a deep inferior epigastric perforators flap surgery (DIEP flap) which will effectively reconstruct her breasts. 

“When I first saw myself, I made my adult daughter cover the mirror in the bathroom and then when I was ready, I took it down; it didn't take long.” 

Throughout her chemotherapy regimen, she has continued to work, though at reduced hours, as an international import coordinator, even though chemotherapy has been gruelling on her body and psyche. 

“Hollywood really glamorizes chemotherapy. You are definitely sick and you are definitely wiped out. But I was surprised that I didn't vomit once in the last chemo round,” Enberg said. "That fear isn't there because I know what to expect, but anything can happen with cancer.”  

Enberg’s steely resolve and determination can be heard in her voice. She is viscerally honest about her cancer diagnosis, but she is also humbled by how it has changed her life. In her past, Enberg ran a bar in Airdrie by the name of Bambino’s. 

“I [used to] help with fundraisers for domestic violence victims; I had fundraisers for Joe Smith's hockey team. I'm not used to being the recipient. I'm still figuring out how to receive,” Enberg said. “I'm grateful that Nancy stepped up.” 

Nancy Barton, another Airdrie resident and dear friend of Enberg’s set up a crowdfunding page for Enberg.  

“She tried really hard to work through chemo after her double mastectomy. My hope is to give her enough of a financial cushion to not work if she doesn’t have to.  She hasn’t quite been able to return to full time from 2021,” reads the fundraising page set up for Enberg. 

Enberg said though it may seem strange to some, she is grateful for her diagnosis. 

“I found me. I figured out that, I got me. I'm strong. Cancer was the final thing that made me see that I'm worth it. I have struggled for a long time with really well-hidden insecurities, “she said. “Airdrie will always have my heart.”  

Having survived breast cancer and now facing more surgery and more chemotherapy, when asked what her plans are, Enberg’s voice doesn’t quiver. 

“I plan to live.” 

She is planning a trip to Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. 

“My mom was always happiest there and she'd wrote a letter to the editor way back in the day and signed it, 'a future resident of Glace Bay Nova Scotia, you have my heart.' My mom passed away last year and I was going to take her, so I'm still going to take her, it's just not going to be this summer.” 

According to the Canadian Cancer Society of Canada, in 2021, on average, 76 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer every day. In total it is estimated that 27,700 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.  

 

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com