Cancer Victim’s Journey Is All About 'Ohana'
Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 7:02AM 
Lysanne Sebastian and family post hair cuts.
By Lynn Selich
Costa Mesa resident Lysanne Sebastian is a beautiful and vibrant young woman of 36, married, with two darling children (Bradley, 4 and Sage, 2) and is an accomplished athlete with a love of Hawaiian outrigger canoeing. She is an active member of the Imua Outrigger Canoe Team based at the Newport Aquatic Center, has paddled around Molokai twice, and even met her husband Rick when they were both paddling in an outrigger race to Catalina.
Lysanne Sebastian: Ready for a close shave.At the end of August 2009, Lysanne’s life changed dramatically when she was diagnosed with invasive ductile carcinoma: breast cancer. Initially, her team of doctors did not think the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, but a subsequent biopsy revealed that two of the 11 lymph nodes removed were affected and immediate action was required to save Lysanne’s life.
Dr. Neil Barth, Lysanne’s oncologist at Hoag Hospital, scheduled her for an immediate bilateral mastectomy, and recommended she begin chemotherapy without delay. Devastated, Lysanne realized her life was changing radically, and it was all happening at a head-spinning pace.
As part of Hawaiian culture, the word ohana means extended family and includes those who are blood-related, adoptive or intentional, and emphasizes that family is bound together and members must cooperate and remember one another with kindness. So when Lysanne decided to shave her head in preparation for chemotherapy, her ohana decided to meet the challenge right beside her, and threw Lysanne a head shaving party.
The finishing touchesLysanne’s parents, Newport Beach residents Janet and Walkie Ray, known for their generous philanthropic work, along with other family members, friends and the entire Imua outrigger team gathered at Salon by the Bay on Oct. 17, and got the party started.
Pink pomegranate margaritas and lemonade flowed and there was joking and laughter all around. Lynanne’s brother Alex had his head shaved first (her other brother David later shaved his head at home), then her husband Rick, followed by Uncle Mike Ray, then Walkie and finally Lysanne.
She didn’t want her girlfriends to shave their heads, so the women had a strip of their hair dyed pink in solidarity of Lysanne’s coming fight. Everyone clapped and cheered and Lysanne vamped it up in her new hairdo. Even though it felt surreal, she chose to be radiant and strong, and smiled broadly when her daughter said “Mommy, you look so pretty!”
Fast forward to Jan. 15, 2010.
Lysanne has successfully completed her chemotherapy. Her oncologist says that her cancer is in “high grade remission.” Now she is in the final stages of preparing for breast reconstruction, or as she puts it, “To get my real fake boobs.” This process involves implants that were put under the skin of the old breasts and pumped up a little each week to stretch the skin in preparation for silicone implants. Then there will be another surgery for nipple reconstruction, and finally areolas will be tattooed on each.
Though there were a few dark days since her diagnosis filled with fear and anxiety, Lysanne held on tightly to a positive attitude, all with the help of her ohana. In a letter Lysanne wrote to her family and friends she reflected, “Truth be told, I pulled most, if not all, of my strength from my family and friends.”
On the evening of her last chemotherapy treatment, a mother from her son Bradley’s kindergarten class knocked on her door bearing food and a basket of little toys, telling Lysanne the toys were to keep her little ones busy when she wasn’t feeling well. Flabbergasted, the thought of people she didn’t even know reaching out to her got Lysanne through that last chemo session and its painful aftereffects.
According to the American Cancer Society, 1-in-8 women (approximately 13%) in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Breast cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer death in Hispanic women, and is the second most common cause of cancer death in white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women. Early detection is critical.
“The ohana of my fellow Imua team members, the outpouring of spirit and support, the extension of help lifted me up higher than I ever thought possible,” Lysanne said. “Although I never expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer, I also certainly never expected this kind of amazing support. It has proven to me, that despite it all, when you extend a hand, you really do have the power to heal.”
As I wrote Lysanne’s story, it brought a wave of emotion I didn’t expect. Like almost every one of us, cancer has profoundly impacted my life and my attitude towards the fight. I was reminded that the battle against cancer takes more than just keen medical science and early detection; it takes an attitude of ohana. And the fact is that while there isn’t a cure quite yet, we can all become a part of the family that is battling this dreaded disease. By persevering and holding on to the attitude of ohana, one day we will have a worldwide party to celebrate a cure.
And no one will have to shave their head.
A version of this story originally ran in October 2009 in the Daily Pilot. This updated version is dedicated to my best friend Valerie Franklin who did not win her battle, all cancer survivors who have, and the people who supported them along the way.
Lynn Selich resides with her husband in Newport Beach. Her weekly column runs every Thursday. She can be reached at lynnselich@roadrunner.com.
Reader Comments (2)
Hello Lyn,
Thank you very much for telling our community about Lysanne and her breast cancer. She is now on the mend, but your "story" was a boost when she was anxious and/or suffering under the effects of the "chemo". You're too young to remember, but Corona del Mar used to have its own newspaper, The Ensign, which focused on people and events in Corona del Mar. It was a great way to learn about your neighbors and the "little things". In our hearts I think all of us still want such a paper. Maybe the Daily Voice will fill that void.
Best,
Walkie Ray
Thank you Walkie! I have often heard about The Ensign - and I like the idea of people thinking of The Daily Voice as a 21st Century version in many ways. In any event, I'll work hard to write stories that bring you and everyone back for more! LS