Tennille’s cancer experience began in 2019, after she found a lump on her skin. After having it removed, she learned it was a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer called sebaceous carcinoma.
Further testing suggested she might also have Lynch syndrome, an inherited condition that can increase the risk of certain cancers. However, confirming this diagnosis was delayed due to a 4-year waitlist for genetic testing.
Years later, Tennille began experiencing new symptoms. She was tired, had abdominal pain, and heavy and frequent bleeding. At first, she thought it might be perimenopause.
But when she started feeling extremely unwell and felt a lump in her abdomen, she went to the emergency room.
Scans showed she had a large tumour, measuring 13.5 x 18.5 cm.
The next week, Tennille had major surgery including a total hysterectomy and the removal of her ovaries and fallopian tubes.
She was diagnosed with stage 4 uterine cancer that had spread to her ovaries, lungs and liver.
Tennille was told she had just 12 to 18 months to live.
At age 46 to have advanced uterine cancer, that is not the norm. That is rare. Usually, uterine cancers are caught at stage 1 or stage 2, and usually in women older than me.
“When I was told that I was going to be off work and have 12 to 18 months to live, I was very angry at the interruption to my work life, to be honest.”
Finding support from CancerConnection.ca
At first, Tennille wasn’t ready to accept the reality of her diagnosis.
“I didn't want to go to a counselor. I didn't want to be a part of a support group, sitting in a room, because I couldn't believe that this was happening to me. But I did join CancerConnection.ca”
CancerConnection.ca is the Canadian Cancer Society’s online community where people affected by cancer share their experiences and support each other.
Hearing from others with lived experience with cancer, whether as a personal diagnosis or as a caregiver, gave Tennille some comfort.
I found solace, because other people were asking questions that I had. It wasn't necessarily about their specific medical issues, but it was more around, ‘How did you get through this?’
She also valued that everyone in the community had real, lived experience with cancer, making the information reliable and empathetic.
“People who are answering the questions, like me answering a question on the forum, it's genuine, it's empathetic, and you do advocate for each other.”
She felt less alone being part of a community of people with a similar diagnosis.
“Trying to find your people is important. On the pie chart of all the types of cancers, uterine is not the most prominent, right? But you can find your people on CancerConnection. They are out there.”
Dealing with the cost of cancer
On top of dealing with a devastating prognosis, Tennille’s family were also dealing with the added impact on their finances.
At the time, her son was in university, and her daughter was finishing high school. They had to make challenging decisions about their future.
“The plans that we had for them and us paying for their post-secondary education was interrupted. They're incurring debt that we hadn't planned on.”
Six months after Tennille was diagnosed, her husband lost his job.
“It was out of the blue, and it was quite the shock.”
With Tennille on disability and her husband receiving employment insurance, they had to carefully manage their finances and adjust to a new reality, all while coping with the emotional impact of cancer.
Starting an immunotherapy clinical trial
Despite her prognosis, Tennille was able to take part in a clinical trial involving immunotherapy, due to her suspected Lynch syndrome.
By June 2025, she had completed 18 rounds of treatment, with encouraging results.
As of December 2024, I am beyond the 18 months prognosis. Every day is a gift.
Tennille continues to have scans every 9 weeks. She hopes the trial will help others with advanced uterine cancer.
“I’m hoping that the research will show that it's useful and it's needed to help treat stage 4 uterine cancer.”
Living with cancer has changed how Tennille approaches daily life. She focuses on staying present and managing her diagnosis one day at a time.
“I think the only way that I can explain how I'm getting through it is compartmentalizing. When I have to go to the hospital and the cancer centre, then that's the day. But otherwise, I try to push it to the side.”
Tennille has also found purpose in giving back by volunteering. She has also co-written a book with her daughter about her cancer experience and finding resilience, and co-founded Canada’s first cancer gift registry, Apothecare, to help people affected by cancer.
The Canadian Cancer Society held me up when I needed it most. Their programs were a lifeline. Now, I get to make sure others feel what I felt: seen, supported, and reminded that they're not alone.
Sharing her story
Today, Tennille shares her story to encourage women to advocate for their health.
I want women to know that abnormal bleeding is abnormal for a reason. Go and get it checked out. I knew that there was something odd, but I just tamped it down.
She urges women to listen to their bodies and push for answers when something feels off.
“I think women have high pain tolerances, and so we just chalk it up to the 30 years of managing cramps with your monthly cycle. But when something isn't right, listen to your body and advocate for yourself. Push to get the ultrasound. Push to get the treatment that you need to figure out what it is.”
Tennille also advocates for better and faster access to genetic testing, adding that knowing your genetic risk can help you make informed decisions and possibly prevent cancer in the future.
Most importantly, she wants others with uterine cancer to feel heard.
Uterine cancer is not as prevalent as breast cancer, cervical cancer, or ovarian cancer. I want to share my story so that women who have this type of cancer also have a voice.