Few people have lived a life as varied and accomplished as Cancer Hope Network volunteer Peer Mentor Cindy Chaffee. Born and raised in Vermont, Cindy’s impressive career has included roles as a music teacher, principal, university adjunct professor, Army National Guard and Reserve soldier, as well as proud colorectal cancer survivor.
Cindy always knew she wanted to teach music and attended the University of Vermont to earn a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. While working as a music teacher, she discovered the military was offering a program for college graduates that allowed them to serve in the National Guard after attending an abridged version of basic training and she immediately enlisted. After completing training, Cindy joined the Vermont 40th Army National Guard Band. Three years later Cindy moved to California and joined the Los Angeles 300th Army Reserve Band where she had the opportunity to serve as the Assistant Conductor for many military events. Her fondest memory of that time is the Annual Army Ball where she met former Army celebrities including Sammy Davis Jr., Martha Rae, Jimmy Stewart, and Jerry Lewis.
Later, while working as a principal in Long Beach California, Cindy pursued a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational/Strategic Leadership at University of La Verne. There, she met her wife, Linda. Together, they became university adjunct professors. The couple retired in 2019 and started traveling not expecting their plans to be put on hold not only due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also Cindy’s cancer diagnosis.
Facing Fear and Finding Strength
Cindy had been under the care of a colorectal surgeon since 2003 when she underwent surgery to remove a benign tumor. Having lost several family members to cancer, she remained vigilant about her health and never missed a recommended screening.
“Cancer was always in the back of my mind because it had been such a major part of my life”, said Cindy. “The ‘C word’ had become a death sentence in my family, which added to my fear and motivated me to not miss a checkup or a colonoscopy.”
Cindy had already undergone the removal and biopsy of six polyps when she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. She remembers the doctor delivering the news and then being immediately surrounded by a medical team with treatment options. Since it was during the pandemic, she had to do everything alone. “Linda couldn’t go with me to any of my appointments or treatments, but she refused to miss anything, so I would FaceTime her so she could listen and ask questions,” said Cindy.
On August 1,2020, Cindy began twelve weeks of daily radiation with oral chemotherapy. Then, in late September she had a port surgically implanted in her chest to prepare for nine cycles of infusion chemotherapy, each of which was 36 hours long. The infusions were scheduled for every two weeks, starting the end of October and finishing in February 2021.
"One of the most valuable lessons I learned as a cancer patient was the importance of advocating for myself," said Cindy. "The treatments made me so sick that I reached a point where I simply couldn't continue with the schedule. I had no quality of life and knew something needed to change."
Cindy shared her thoughts with her oncologist, and he adjusted her treatment schedule which meant she would finish treatment two months later than originally planned, but she could have treatment every three weeks instead of every two. That extra week allowed Cindy to eat more, feel good enough to take a ride in the car with Linda or have a picnic, and regain the strength she needed for the next round of chemo.
Cindy finished treatment and a colonoscopy showed she was in remission in April 2021. Wanting to live the rest of their lives closer to their family, Cindy and Linda moved near their adult children to Lincoln, California just north of Sacramento. Cindy knew that, even though she was cancer-free, her journey wasn’t over, but she was on the road to remission and regaining control of her life, which ultimately led her to Cancer Hope Network.
Living Beyond Cancer Through Service
Cindy is now giving meaning to her experience through service and compassion. Last year, Cindy came across information about Cancer Hope Network’s peer mentorship program in the Colon Cancer Coalition newsletter. Having served as a Certified Coach for school principals, she felt like the CHN organization was a good match for her and the perfect way to give back, so she reached out about becoming a volunteer Peer Mentor.
“During my treatment, I had my wife, family, and friends but, looking back, maybe if I had had someone to talk to who had experienced what I was going through, it might have helped me,” said Cindy. “So, I decided, if I can do that for someone else, that’s how I can give back to show my gratitude for still being on this planet.”
After completing Cancer Hope Network’s comprehensive training, Cindy quickly was matched with a few mentees. She has mentored people from across the country and from various facets of life.
“As a mentor, it’s important that you don’t find yourself commiserating with them, because that’s not helpful.” said Cindy. “Even though I know how awful it can get, my job is to listen, ask questions, and find out how I can further support each of my mentees.”
In addition to becoming a Cancer Hope Network Peer Mentor, Cindy and her wife are very active in nonprofits in their local community. They joined the Sacramento Women’s Chorus where Cindy is the Artistic Director of the Small Women’s Ensemble and Linda is President of the Board. They also volunteer with the Assistance League of Sacramento, where they provide a strong system of support for Sacramento area schools and community agencies. When Cindy isn’t busy volunteering, she and Linda love to travel and are headed to Hawaii and Chicago this summer.
