In December 2020, Colin Simner’s regular workout took an unexpected turn
Colin Simner meeting Dr. Anthony Kaufmann, HSC neurosurgeon, post-life-saving surgery. “I was so grateful for [Dr. Kaufmann’s] reassuring words. I went into my surgery feeling relaxed and confident.”
I rode my bike over 450 miles this past summer—mostly around the St. Malo area where I live. I know what it feels like to be tired after a ride, but never have I felt as tired as I did after a ride one Sunday morning in December 2020.
I wasn’t riding outdoors, of course. In the winter, I train on an exercise bike in my basement at least three times a week. On that fateful Sunday, I pedalled hard and then slumped over the handlebars. All my energy was suddenly gone from my body. Then I slipped down to the floor, not quite sure what was going on.
Colin Simner, a healthy, avid cyclist, was diagnosed with cancer in December 2020: “It was devastating news, of course, but I was prepared to fight.”
Good thing that Taff, my Jack Russell terrier, was by my side. He could tell something wasn’t quite right and ran upstairs and started barking at my wife Sally. Sally came downstairs and saw me on the floor. I was conscious, but weak. Hot and clammy to the touch.
I ended up at the hospital in Steinbach the next day where, after some tests, I was diagnosed with cancer. It was devastating news, of course, but I was prepared to fight. By Thursday, I was at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. On Friday, I was prepped for a “craniotomy” to remove a brain tumour.
Colin Simner with Taff at their home in St. Malo, Manitoba: “Good thing that Taff, my Jack Russell terrier, was by my side. He could tell something wasn’t quite right and ran upstairs and started
barking at my wife Sally.”
I was scared and upset, lying there waiting for a surgeon to drill a couple of holes in my forehead to remove this cancerous growth. How could I not be? My nerves were settled, though, when my surgeon Dr. Anthony Kaufmann came up to me, put his hand on my shoulder, and looked me in the eyes. “You’re healthy and you’re in good shape,” he said. “You’re going to do just fine.”
I couldn’t express it at the time, but I was so grateful for his reassuring words. (I hope Dr. Kaufmann is reading this!) I went into my surgery feeling relaxed and confident.
When I woke up after the operation, I felt pretty good! Tired of course, but no pain. The nurses and aides at HSC started walking with me soon after surgery, and I was very quickly able to walk on my own.
I was only in the hospital for four days, discharged just a couple of days before Christmas. It was a quiet holiday at home while I rested and recovered.
Colin Simner’s first bike ride post-craniotomy and post- chemotherapy: “Throughout my surgery, the chemotherapy, my seizure experience, and my follow-ups, the people at HSC make me feel cared for, relaxed, comfortable, safe.”
In the following months, I needed a variety of treatments which included several weeks of inpatient chemotherapy on Unit GD6 at HSC. The nurses and other staff were so good to me, and they made my hospital stays as easy and pleasant as possible. (I even got to ride an exercise bike on the unit so I could keep up my fitness routine!) My tumour came back, but was quickly addressed by the therapies and I didn’t need more surgery. In December 2021, I was back at HSC after a seizure (another Christmas missed), and I still return regularly for MRIs and follow-ups.
It’s hard to describe how wonderful the staff are at HSC. And I am not just talking about their expertise! The people who took care of me, the people who brought my meals, the people who cleaned my room—they were all kind, good-natured, good-humoured. Brilliant, beautiful people. Throughout my surgery, the chemotherapy, my seizure experience, and my follow-ups, the people at HSC make me feel cared for, relaxed, comfortable, safe.
“Thanks to HSC, I spent last Christmas at home, celebrating with Sally, my sons, and their families (and of course, Taff!),” says Colin Simner.
Throughout the experience, Sally and I learned how important it is to support Manitoba’s hospital through the HSC Foundation. We made our first gift in January 2021 shortly after my surgery. We urge all Manitobans to support the HSC Foundation so that HSC can remain a leading-edge hospital providing care to people from all over the province.
Thanks to HSC, I spent last Christmas at home, celebrating with Sally, my sons, and their families (and of course, Taff!). I’ll be celebrating again this year. I’m feeling very good; and I am feeling very grateful.
Wishing you a happy holiday season!
Sincerely,
Colin Simner
P.S. I had incredible care at HSC—and the care that neurosurgery and epilepsy patients receive will soon be even better when the new, four-bed “Unit B5B” opens its doors. The HSC Foundation is raising funds to make this new unit a reality. Consider directing your gift to The Epilepsy Surgery and Brain Technology Fund. Make your gift before December 31 to get a charitable tax receipt for 2023!
