Lynn Manwar

Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Lynn’s Comments: During this journey of recovery from a cancer diagnosis, I have been the recipient of random acts of kindness and it’s been totally amazing to say the least!   I had decided from the day 1 to share my news through Facebook status updates, videos and photos.  I have had friends and Facebook friends, visit and bring food, and other treats to my home.  I’ve received care packages from Facebook friends I’ve never met, tea in the mail and gifts of tea in my seat while at the Oprah Life Class on April 16th, 2012.  I’ve been taken out and treated to lunch on several occasions.  Friends, have brought over both lunch and dinner for myself and the entire family.

Lynn’s Comments: Being at home on medical leave from work due to cancer treatment has certainly been quite the experience.   I have been mainly been spending my time at home either reading, watching television (which is a habit I never had before), surfing on the internet and roaming on social media networks.   I was rather delighted when I received a message and invitation from Ashima Suri of Building Bridges Association of Canada to speak at their Networking Event for Women with Disabilities on May 2nd, 2012.  The day that I was invited to speak by Ashima, was also the day I also received my 5th Chemo treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital on April 20th, 2012.   I had a bit of Chemo brain that day, but I did commit to speak for the event!

I felt rather fine for a few days after my 5th Chemo treatment, however, about 6 days later, I started to get a dry cough from April 26th onwards.  The cough continued throughout the weekend and the following week as well.  I was a little concerned as the week progressed, wondering, if I would be able to still speak at the event?  I made sure that I rested and upon arrival to the venue on the day of the event, Silvi, a facebook friend gave me some ginger candies and I had some tea.   I settled in to the Speaker’s Table and met the other guest speakers.   There was positive energy all around.

Luckily, my cough went away and I was able to speak after lunch to the attendees and other guests.  I was able to share my personal experience of challenges and temporary times of disability with the audience and the knowledge I learned along the way in my journey.   I felt very fortunate to have had the opportunity to speak that day as my experience will enable others to build bridges in their lives!

For more information about Building Bridges Association of Canada go to:  http://www.buildingbridgescanada.com/

Lynn’s Comments: I first heard that Oprah was coming to Toronto in March 2012 when a family friend came over to visit at our home.  I was so excited when I heard the news that I then decided to post on my Facebook status, “Universe I am manifesting Oprah tickets, thank you, thank you, thank you!”.  Within 8 minutes of updating my status on Facebook, a lovely women named Arpana responded and said she had a ticket for me!  I was so excited and delighted to say the least.  I have been watching the Oprah show since 1988 and always wanted to see her show live as an audience member.

After learning that I had a ticket to the Oprah Life Class Tour in Toronto for the following month, I did a happy dance around my house and savored the great feelings associated with my happiness!  Being on medical leave and in treatment for cancer, this gift of a ticket really uplifted my mood and is the best gift ever!  Just imagine wanting something for 24 years and it finally happening—it’s such an amazing feeling!

I committed to go to the Oprah Life Class even though I was still in Chemotherapy treatment.  I knew it was an opportunity of a lifetime to attend the show and I certainly wasn’t going to let cancer or any type of cancer treatment stop me from attending.  The big day arrived on April 16th, 2012 and I took the subway downtown to the Metro Convention Centre.  I brought a salad and two boiled eggs to ensure I had food for that afternoon and energy to keep me going.  I went to the front entrance of the Metro Convention Centre and realized that I had to enter the event from another entrance.  I got a call from Priya who was already lined up with Reshma, and I asked if I had enough time to get some more food, and she said yes.  I then decided to purchase a veggie hotdog and fries, to ensure I had enough meals for the day and began my walk over to the long line to join the ladies and my soul sisters for the day!

My last Chemo treatment was on March 30th, 2012 and this big day for the Oprah Life Class was 2 weeks later.  I walked over to the long line and found both Reshma and Priya around 12:30pm that day.   Miraculously, I wore comfy shoes and managed to stay standing for 3. 5 hours until we were admitted to the Metro Convention Centre and lined up inside.  Much later on, just before we were admitted to the show, I had chosen to sit down on the ground for awhile, and I had a good rest while I watched Priya make a sign for the show.  We were admitted into the Hall for the show and walked diligently to find seats for all of us.  Luckily we found seats in the centre aisle and we were situated in a good spot.

As I sat in the audience, I thought about how grateful I was to be there.  For me, the Oprah Life Class was definitely a dream come true! and part of my bucket list of one activity that I was able to check off on my list!  It was very fitting that the theme of the Life Class was about Forgiveness and just what I needed to hear during my time of healing from a cancer diagnosis.  God does give us exactly what we need, that I know!

Lynn’s Comments: It was on Saturday, February 4th, 2012, that I took my temperature at night just as I was about to go to sleep and noticed that it was 38.  I was informed by my doctors that once the temperature is above of 37, I should go straight to the emergency at the hospital.  I packed a small bag with slippers, toothbrush and some snacks.   I drove with my mother to the emergency hospital and she dropped me off.  I was seen by a nurse, emergency doctor and then left in an emergency hospital bed.  The next morning I was admitted to the hospital and moved to a room in the Short Term Stay area of the hospital.  My family came to visit me, along with my friend Senthil.  I then messaged my friend and asked him to post on facebook that I was in the hospital and welcomed visitors.  The next day was my birthday and I had tickets to see the Marilyn Dennis show with my family.  I asked me friend to cancel my reservation for the show and my takeout order for food for my birthday meal.  I then messaged a few friends and asked if they could bring my birthday meal to the hospital, and Sudarshan responded.

I started to cry on Feb 5th as I went to sleep, realizing that I’d be spending my birthday in the hospital.  The next day, I started to get texts and phone calls for my birthday.  Around 2:30pm on my birthday, I got a surprise visit from a friend and she brought me flowers and chocolate.  Then a couple hours later, more friends arrived with a Dora balloon, teddy bear and cake with chocolate covered strawberries.  It certainly made my day.  My mom, had come earlier in the day and my aunt, arrived that evening with my cousin.  I even had a facebook friend call me and pray with me, which was extremely special.   I had a humbling and blessed day for my birthday.

Lynn’s Comments: What is Love?  Is it a kiss, a feeling, a hug, and a warm embrace?  Is it kind word, act, deed or sharing your meal?  Love can be anything you desire it to be…how big or how small?  Share love in the world in your own little way.  Do something nice for someone you know or even a stranger.  When you give love out,  it comes back at you- you will feel it and it’s absolutely amazing!

Check out The Love Movie by my friend Danish Ahmed:

Lynn’s Comments: I left India on September 4th, 2011 and arrived back to Canada on September 5th, 2011.  It was a brand new time in my life for me.  I have never felt so renewed, fresh, hopeful and happy.  My psoriasis on my skin began to heal up and I haven’t seen beautiful arms in many years.  I had a new sense of self confidence and less than 1 week later, I got to show off my arms wearing a strapless dress at ReelWorld Indie Film Lounge Cocktail Party at Empire Lounge during the Toronto International Film Festival 2011.

I had also decided upon returning back home, it would be time for me to start dating again.  Now, that I was feeling good, I declared I am ready! And lined up a date for myself that weekend.

People often question, why I am single, what’s wrong with you?  You go out so much and meet so many people.  To me, it’s all about timing and I have worked on my inner self to prepare myself to receive that “Great Love” coming my way.  Being in love is such madness and I can’t wait to have that experience again!

Lynn’s Comments: It was on Thursday, June 23rd, 2011 that I was invited to the Green Carpet Gala, an International Indian Film Awards Buzz event held at the Liberty Grand in Toronto.  It was a night full of music, drink, dance and fine entertainment, buzzing with local celebrities.  Overall,  I would say about 1000 people showed up and it got to be a busy night.  I met old friends and made new ones.  I had a great time dancing and had wonderful company. Thanks to Dinesh Sachdev of FILMI for the invitation and thanks to Ravi for taking me there.

Lynn Manwar with Ravi Amin