Isabel Te has more in common with her mother than most people.

“In about 2008, I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer,” she recalls. “Then, about eight years later, last year, my mother was diagnosed with the same cancer – it was quite a shock.”

The good news is that Isabel is doing well and has been in remission for seven years and her 91-year-old mother Chin Lin, is healthy after her surgery last year. Endometrial cancer is most susceptible in post-menopausal women.

“It is a bit crazy that I was diagnosed before her,” says Isabel, looking across the table at her mother. “And it was worse for me because I needed both surgery and chemo–she only needed surgery. The chemo was tough.”

“But we are healthy and happy now and it’s all thanks to Dr. (Dianne) Miller,” she continues. “She was amazing to us. A very good doctor.”

Isabel, who is now 60, says that, in a strange way, her diagnosis may have saved her mom’s life.

“(My mother) saw that she had the same symptoms as me so she went to Dr. Miller right away,” she explains. “They detected it early and that might have saved her life–the surgery went really well.”

“Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecologic cancer,” Dr. Miller says. “It’s inherited about 10% of the time. In this case, Isabel had higher-stage cancer than her mother.”

Isabel and Chin Lin says it was really beneficial having the same doctor in Dr. Miller.

“She knew our family history and she knew what to do–that really helped,” Isabel says.

They are very grateful for the care they received.

“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Dr. Miller,” she says, looking at her mother. “We’re lucky to be here in BC.”

“I am happy about my care,” a nodding Chin Lin adds in Cantonese.

Dr. Miller says the mother and daughter are both doing well and the future looks bright.

“Isabel is over 7 years from completion of treatment and there is no evidence of recurrence,” the gynecologist explains. “Her mother is in her first year of follow-up, but stands a good chance of a cure with the surgery alone.”

From the Philippines originally, the Tes moved to Canada around 1988, following an aunt who settled in the Lower Mainland and loved the area.

“I’m thankful we came because we have such great care here,” Isabel says about the health care system in BC.

Life is good for the mother and daughter these days.

“I’m feeling free and I’m back at work. I’m comfortable and my mother is doing good,” Isabel says with a small smile. “Mom has to go to checkups every three months but she’s doing good.”

“Everything is ok,” Chin Lin says. “I eat well, I sleep well.”

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