There were times when Dawn-Carla Irwin’s life felt unbearable. “People need to realize not to take life for granted because things can change in an instant.”
Irwin’s life turned on a dime when her husband Steve, a former RCMP officer was diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago. It spread to his lymph nodes, pancreas and spine. Doctors eventually diagnosed him with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that produces tumours in the body.
He underwent surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy. While Irwin was sharing her husband’s roller coaster ride, she was also juggling a hectic career as the RCMP’s 911 dispatcher and caring for three sons under the age of 10.
As the family nurturer, Irwin took it upon herself to “be strong for my husband and the boys. I didn’t let my guard down.” But the staunch attitude took its toll.
“I’d have anxiety attacks, breathing problems and I’d feel like my body was going to collapse.”
Friends kept telling her to look after herself. And she would reply, “How do you expect me to do that?”
But fate intervened. Her doctor suggested a leave of absence from work and Irwin spotted a story in the Gazette about the third annual Inside Outside Makeover. In a moment of desperation, she did the unexpected and applied.
This annual pampering event, spearheaded by Bev Baker-Hofmann of BBH Coaching, is sponsored by nine businesses that give a deserving woman a much needed physical, mental, emotional and spiritual boost.
“What grabbed us was her absolute commitment to her family, and what was clear with everything going on, she wasn’t taking care of herself,” says Baker-Hofmann.
When Baker-Hofmann called to offer Irwin the makeover package valued at about $2,000, Irwin asked, “Can I have 24 hours to think about it?”
But Baker-Hofmann replied, “If she was willing to consider it during this difficult time, I knew she’d step up to the plate.”
The first step was a six-week gym membership to tone up her body and nutritional counselling to control the caloric intake. “I lost nine pounds and 10 inches,” smiles Irwin.
BBH Counselling offered several sessions of life coaching to complement a therapeutic massage and meditation. Two businesses provided clothes and accessories. But the crowning glory was a facial, manicure, brow wax, makeup session, hair styling and colour followed by a glam photo shoot.
“It was awesome. It was amazing. I’ve changed the way I live and I now know it’s OK to do things for me.”
