When she received the call her father had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, Debra Smith said her initial reaction was disbelief. Her dad, John, 68, and his wife Linda, were on vacation in Grates Cove, Nfld. for Christmas.
After calling their six children they packed their bags and flew back to the NWT on Christmas Eve and were met by their children and grandchildren. A total of 30 people were there to greet the two when they landed.
“When we found out it was cancer we all huddled as a family together and cried,” said Debra. “Nobody went to work that day and we all met at Barbara's house.
"My dad had went for the scope a few weeks before and we originally thought it was an ulcer. That morning before we woke up we got the call it was cancer.”
John Smith Sr. was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in November, his children have organized an event on April 28 to support their father and raise awareness for the rare cancer. Michael Hugall/NNSL photo
During the holidays, Linda and their six children experienced a mixed bag of emotions. After tears, smiles, and the occasional laugh, they agreed John was not going to fight esophageal cancer alone.
“My family is beautiful and everyone who knows the Smith's understands that we are a strong minded family that is inseparable,” said John's daughter, Barbara.
The siblings banded together after the holidays ended. The Smiths said they needed to show support for their father. This is not uncommon for the Smiths, said daughter Stacey Smith.
“We're like elastic bands. One starts to move away and we all just come back again,” she said. “Dad is our rock, and we are his rock.”
That's when the idea hit them. The brothers and sisters came to the conclusion that one way they could show support for John was to shave their heads.
“My dad has always taken pride in his hair,” said Barbara. “We thought our dad losing his hair was the best way to unite the family.”
The family has partnered with the Canadian Cancer Society and is inviting members of the community to The Raven Pub on April 28 for an event called Shave For The Brave.
All six children will be shaving their heads to support their father. Barbara said the message they want to send to all survivors is unity.
Since 1992, the Department of Health and Social Services has been providing the Canadian Cancer Society with information on all cancers in the NWT. As of 2015, there had been 23 cases of esophageal cancer in the territory since 1992. This translates to one case per year, said deputy chief public health officer Dr. Kami Kandola.
“In Canada we get 111 new cancer cases per year, less than one per cent of those cases is esophageal cancer,” said Kandola. “You most commonly see the cases in men over the age of 60 ... 87 per cent of cases are found in men.”
People who experience acid reflux are more likely to develop esophageal cancer. Other risks include smoking, obesity and alcohol consumption.
There are two different types of esophageal cancer, said Kandola. Adenocarcinoma is due to a mutation in the lower part of one's esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma affects the upper-middle part of the esophagus.
“Esophageal cancer is one of the more rare cancers in Canada,” said Kandola. “We cannot detect it until the late stages in Canada ... it is different from colorectal cancer or breast cancer because there is no pre-cancer screening available.”
Meanwhile, for John Smith, he enters the ring for his fight with cancer knowing his family will be in his corner. Although diagnosed he vows to not stop fighting.
“My family is perfect,” he said. “I haven't been able to think of any more words than when they came into the world.”
John and Linda have been married for 43 years. Linda said their faith propels them every day.
“Our fight keeps him going,” said Linda. “This is another day, God is with us, and we need to start all over again.”
When she first heard John had been diagnosed with cancer Linda was by his side.
“I didn't say a word to him, just touched his hand,” said Linda. “I looked at him and said 'John, God is with us'... he looked back at me and said, 'yes, I know.'”
Linda adds they are going to make every minute count.
“I love life, he loves life, as a family we love life,” said Linda. “it's very important to make every day count.”