Community rally’s behind local woman

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Janice Eaton wasn’t supposed to live. Though she was at the brink of beating her colon cancer, a sudden blood clot that travelled to her lungs, followed by seven cardiac arrests, kidney failure, a coma, and a stroke, sunk expectations to rock-bottom. To make matters worse, Eaton then suffered a catastrophic brain bleed, and was no longer expected to live. Doctors issued warnings that by the off-chance she would wake, she would be severely affected mentally, and cautioned about further resuscitations. And yet her family refused to admit defeat. Then, two-weeks later, in December, Eaton opened her eyes, and much to the doctors’ disbelief, with memory in tact. Falling flat on offering up a medical explanation, some have chalked her survival up to fate, even going as far as calling her a miracle. And while the road to recovery is ongoing – Eaton who woke up completely paralyzed is now walking on her own just a few months later – friends are hoping the Town of Strathmore will become another miracle in raising funds to get the family out of debt and back on their feet.
“Two of the doctors said, ‘you received a miracle you know that right?’ and I said no I didn’t,” a teary-eyed Eaton said. “But I did. I got a miracle. I came out of the coma completely paralysed. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even move my head to the side. So I’ve had to relearn everything. I’m doing much better than I was but I’m still dealing with stamina.”
Already on her feet in February, after tackling some gruelling hardships along the way, Eaton is determined to get her life back. Most importantly, fitting in some much-desired riding time with her horse Prince who couldn’t bear to be separated from his owner and thus became the first horse to participate in hospital visits. Three weeks ago, Eaton’s hard work paid off as she sat back in the saddle for the first time since the incident.
Despite positive advances, her colon cancer diagnosis in 2013 and recent hospital stints has left the family struggling financially. Eaton, who owned the Quality Canine Centre in Strathmore – known as Stay and Play Grooming – was forced to sell her dream business on account of the disease. While she said she wouldn’t reopen another enterprise like it, the loss of income has resulted in yet another issue to be battled.
“This girl has been through hell,” said Debbie Murray, who is organizing a fundraiser to help her friend get out of debt and back onto her feet. “She’s still very weak but her mindset is clear and she’s talking about what she needs to do to get herself better and employed. She’s certainly looking ahead to the future to see what she can contribute to her lifestyle.”
But the claim is easier said than done for the animal-lover and mother of one, who can currently only handle 15 minutes of standing or sitting, struggles with a lack of energy, and is experiencing pain.
But for Murray, helping to organize the fundraiser is not only for the benefit of helping out a friend, she’s making sure the town regains a valuable contributing member of its community. Eaton received the Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2013, and is a member of Fun Country Riding Club in Strathmore. And with a clean bill of health, she is now working hard to feel 100 per cent again by next year.
“I don’t know if the pain will ever go away, but being alive is worth it,” Eaton said. “I never thought of myself as a strong person, but I beat the odds and survived. I’m going to try and live the best life I can now.”
The community is encouraged to come out for a fun evening in support of Eaton’s recovery.
The Back in the Saddle – Cancer survival fundraiser for Janice Eaton is held on July 18 at the Strathmore Legion from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and will feature a stick horse barrel racing competition, prizes, and a silent auction. All money raised will go directly to Eaton to help with her recovery. For more information regarding the event, call Debbie Murray at 403.325.0372.