Despite at one point being on the receiving end of some condescendingly derisive remarks from a couple of customers while waiting in line at the post office wearing an N94 mask, Susan Papai-Gaehring said her experience since moving to Sundre last August has largely been humbling.
Due to her condition, coupled with a son who has cystic fibrosis, Papai-Gaehring dons a mask as a precaution when going into public.
“I have cancer and I’m trying to protect a son. He doesn’t live with me, but still, we have to be so careful right now,” she recently said during a phone interview.
“I only come out once every two weeks to get my mail.”
As the 57-year-old waited her turn for service in the fairly lengthy lineup during the earlier days of the pandemic, a couple of men indirectly commented, without even knowing her personal situation, that wearing the mask was “ridiculous,” she said.
Too exhausted to expend her limited energy explaining her condition, she tried to pay them no mind.
“I just couldn’t say anything.”
However, another customer was compelled to act, and spoke out in her defence.
“She was such lovely lady. She didn’t even know me, but interceded on my behalf. She came to me apologizing on behalf of the people who had made comments — very rude comments,” said Papai-Gaehring, praising Kari Martens’ compassion.
“It meant everything to me. We couldn’t even hug each other.”
Previously a resident of Didsbury and Three Hills before that, the former crisis interventionist decided to relocate to Sundre, where she aspires to eventually start a business and live a simple life.
“I moved here alone and bought a cute little place. I didn’t really get the opportunity to meet very many people at all,” she said.
“I chose Sundre because every time I came through, coming over that hill, it’s spectacular — I mean, how can you not love Sundre? Now, I’m loving the people.”
Being diagnosed with cancer during the pandemic has been what she called a very lonely time, especially with family being unable to visit.
“It’s just a stupid time to get cancer in the middle of COVID! I don’t know what to say.”
Even so, her interactions in the community — including simple exchanges such as with her next door neighbours who have expressed well wishes through open windows — have warmed her heart.
“People don’t have to care. We’re in a dog-eat-dog world right now where people can gouge you,” she said, also expressing profound appreciation for the staff and owners at Jeftec, who refused to charge her for an oil change.
“That’s just an act of love. Being that I am single and alone, sometimes it’s scary to go into a mechanical shop. Especially in a world where people can gouge, and being a single woman going into a mechanical shop can be pretty scary,” she said with a little chuckle.
Another outstanding individual she described as “my little angel” is Barb Holt, who always greets her with a friendly smile at the grocery store. Such little acts of kindness go a very long way, she said.
Generally a private person with reservations about sharing aspects of her personal life, Papai-Gaehring said she felt inspired to speak out.
“I just feel like I’ve been truly blessed by these people who have come into my life and taken a stand,” she said.
Members from the McDougal Chapel at one point even delivered some bread, she said.
“They didn’t have to do anything — I don’t even go to church! So that’s pretty cool.”
Her spirits have further been lifted by the Sundre Rocks social media initiative, which encourages children to have fun seeking out and painting unique rocks with positive messages as a creative activity during the pandemic.
“I don’t know anybody on there, but I enjoy watching people and children going out there to get rocks,” she said.
But perhaps the keystone among the pillars of her foundation of support in the community has been Dr. Dana Rich at Greenwood Family Physicians, as well as office assistant Francis Cheek.
“They have been there for me completely. I swear, I got the best doctor ever,” she said.
When Papai-Gaehring was originally diagnosed a couple of months ago, Dr. Rich had to, as a safety precaution, deliver “the news over the phone, and it was so hard for her to tell somebody over the phone.”
The former smoker said she was able to kick the habit more than 30 years ago after numerous attempts.
“Cold turkey didn’t work for me — it took me about eight attempts. But once I was told that hundreds of thousands of people have gone before me and accomplished this, I knew it was doable,” she explained.
“The first three days, you think you’re going to die!” she said with a laugh.
Anyone currently trying to quit might feel overwhelmed, but she’s confident they can nevertheless triumph against their addiction, even if it feels impossible.
She was scheduled on May 20 for an operation at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary to remove a little more than one-third of her right lung’s lower lobe.
“That’s where they found the cancer.”
Afterwards, she planned to spend a portion of her recovery period in Three Hills, where she has a home for sale.
“It’s a pretty quiet market.”
Although her journey has been scary and unsettling, the rough road has been softened by the compassion of complete strangers who care.
“People are caring about someone spiritually and physically and mentality — that takes a lot of energy on their behalf, and I sure appreciate it. You have no idea how good it feels.”
