"Getting the news was life changing and I'd say I was a little bit numb through it." 

That was the response Kate Marnoch had when asked what it was like being told she had stage 3 cervical cancer in July of 2020.

She recalls her mindset after getting the news. "All you're focused on is getting the treatment and doing what you have to do to get better. During the pandemic and having to do it all alone was really tough. When you're alone in the hospital, I can't describe that feeling when you don't know if you're ever going to come out again and you're all alone... it's really hard to deal with."

Despite the extreme pain and the mental strain of everything, Kate set out a goal with her 2-year-old daughter Nikki in mind. "My number one goal was to be out with my daughter for Halloween. I said, cancer or no cancer, I'm going trick or treating with her. It's my favourite holiday and she was so into it this year. We had matching costumes and I totally had to miss it. It just broke my heart."

While the Halloween goal fell short, Kate was able to be out of the hospital for another major day. "I made it back for Christmas. It was a little iffy if I would. I had to go to a local hospital for about three hours a day to get IV antibiotics every day but it sure beats being in the hospital every day by yourself."

For Kate, she says it was the people around her that helped keep her strong through it all. "I can't express how lucky I am. My parents were helping with my daughter. My husband Andrew was home all the time taking me to appointments. The in-laws... there was just so much support, I was so lucky."

When Kate was allowed out of the hospital and got to embrace Nikki, she explains what that reunion was like. "I've never had a better hug in my life. She was glued to me for like a week. She made me a sign, made up a song for me and everything. It was amazing."

The feeling of numbness that happened when the original diagnosis came in didn't return when she got the call that her cancer had gone into remission, it was replaced by more cautious optimism. "It's a bit unbelievable. People with cancer know it's a five year plan. You're not cancer free for five years, it's in remission. There's always that thought in the back of your mind that it may come back... but I just try to live in the moment. I don't have it right now so let's just celebrate that. It's a really good feeling."

For those in the battle, Kate offers a message. "Just try and get through day by day. If you're having a good day, have a good day. If you're having a bad day, have a bad day. Keep going. You're going to get to the end and it will all be worth it."