Hi everyone,

I never quite imagined I’d be writing a message like this, but here we are.

After a lot of thought, I wanted to share a bit of what’s been going on in our world—both for those who have been following along, and for those who may be hearing this for the first time. It’s not the easiest thing to put into words, but if anything, I hope it’s a reminder to listen to your body when something doesn’t feel right.

This all began in July 2025, when I started experiencing unusual symptoms and increasing pain, which led to multiple ER visits. During my third visit, further testing revealed a mass, and on August 16, I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer—a rare type of pelvic cancer.

I began treatment at the end of August with a combination of radiation (33 rounds) and chemotherapy. The chemo, in particular, was tough on my system and resulted in a hospital stay of several weeks, along with multiple blood and platelet transfusions.

Shortly after being discharged from the hospital following my second round of chemo, in an unexpected turn, I experienced an ischemic stroke at home. I required an emergency thrombectomy to remove a blood clot in my brain. It was later determined to be treatment-related—something we certainly didn’t see coming. Thankfully, thanks to very quick action from family (and an incredible nurse neighbour), I recovered well with no lasting deficits… although Rob and the kids might argue I’ve always been a little questionable.

Due to these complications, there were interruptions in my radiation treatment, which can affect how well it works over time. I completed chemoradiation on December 1, 2025.

In the weeks that followed, I continued to have symptoms, which led to more testing. We’ve since learned that the cancer did not fully respond to treatment and has recurred locally. The next step is major surgery with curative intent. The good news is that there is no distant spread.

This surgery on April 2 will be followed by a significant recovery period over the coming months. Our focus during that time will be on healing and supporting our family as we navigate what’s ahead.

Many people have reached out asking how they can help, which has meant more to us than we can properly express. For those who have asked, we’ve set up this page as a way to offer support, if you feel comfortable doing so.

With both Rob and I being off work for an extended period, any funds raised will go toward day-to-day living expenses, as well as additional medical and recovery-related care.

If you’re not in a position to give, your messages, support, and even just sharing this page are deeply appreciated and truly go a long way.

Right now, our priority is getting through this next phase and focusing on recovery—one step at a time.

Thank you for being in our corner. It means more than we can say. And truly—if something feels off, trust yourself and get it checked.

As a small note—some cancers, including certain pelvic cancers, can be linked to HPV. There is a vaccine available that can help prevent these types of cancers. If this is something you’re unfamiliar with, it’s worth learning more or speaking with your healthcare provider.

With gratitude,

Toby