Breast Cancer Recovery staff and volunteers were privileged last week to host our bi-annual Infinite Boundaries retreat for women with metastatic (Stage 4) breast cancer. Judi Janowski, BCR Retreat Director, shared that she was once again blown away by the experience. Seven women attended and an eighth participant was forced to cancel unexpectedly. The women struggle with pain and other effects of their treatments, but the retreat provides an opportunity for them to form a community with other women who are traveling the same journey.

Here are comments from the women who attended:
“At the age of 65, having lived a very full, successful, rewarding life, this 4 day retreat tops it all. Best experience of my life. Most rewarding, most needed and most nurturing. I wish all breast cancer patients could have this experience.”

“This was a beautiful, loving experience that I will always treasure. This retreat has truly changed my life by giving me new techniques for coping, new ideas, and new ’sisters.’ All metastatic breast cancer patients should attend this amazing retreat. There was a lot going on here and all of it perfect.”

We are grateful to Sundara Inn and Spa for allowing us the use of their facility. A few reviews of the wonderful setting:

“I have attended many retreats and have lead some myself, but never a retreat for metastatic breast cancer patients. This was well worth traveling 650 miles for! The program could stand alone but having it at Sundara added so much!”

“Perfect. The staff (BCR and Sundara) was incredible. The rooms were spectacular and uplifting.”

“Words aren’t enough! Sundara is opulent, inviting and the water amazing.”

“This was the best experience I have had. I was able to become comfortable in my own skin. Thank you so much.”

Breast Cancer Recovery thanks the women who attended and our many generous donors who allow us to continue to offer affordable and accessible programs for all breast cancer survivors.

A New York Times blog has a post about women with breast cancer in one breast opting for bilateral mastectomy. While a relatively small percentage of women with breast cancer opt for this (6 percent according to the reporter), the number has increased in recent years. The blog is fairly standard info, but I found the comments from different readers about how they made their individual decisions especially interesting.

From the comments:
*“When I was diagnosed with DCIS, I decided pretty quickly that I wanted to deal with one breast at a time, especially after it looked like a mastectomy was the best way to go. It was difficult enough making peace with the “m” word for one breast–no way would I have considered a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy.”
*“I knew several women who had both breasts removed after experiencing cancer in one. All of them said that they simply couldn’t face the ordeal of yearly mammograms and callbacks and ultrasounds and biopsies, etc. None of them really focused on the odds of getting cancer in the second breast; it was purely avoiding the psychological issues. I think that’s something that many MDs don’t think about.”
*“I am 32. I am a surgeon, and I have early stage breast cancer … I have opted for the double mastectomy not because I think it will prolong my life. I know the facts. I am doing it because I want to have this all behind me, because I want to live without the anxiety of having another abnormality on MRI or mammogram, because I want to “look” normal, because I am young.”

The article is here: “After Cancer, Removing a Healthy Breast”
(Scroll down to read the comments)

We are thrilled to be the recipients of proceeds from this year’s Luna Fest, a mini film festival sponsored by the Madison Chapter of Luna Chix.
Luna Fest
March 18, 2010 at US Bank Plaza in Madison.
Enjoy a reception and silent auction at 6 p.m. The film viewing begins at 7 p.m.
Tickets $20
Luna Fest is a national film festival of short films by, for and about women. All proceeds are donated to Breast Cancer Recovery. Please contact us to buy tickets in advance or buy tickets at the event. We hope to see you there!

More information at the Luna Chix website: teamlunachix.com

We are so grateful to the many, many people that attended the Beer & Chocolate Tasting at Dexter’s on Valentine’s Day! The event was the best yet – with more people, great beer and chocolate and a record amount of proceeds for Breast Cancer Recovery!

Thank you to Dexter’s, Steave Weakley and Fred Swenson for organizing the event. We also want to extend a special thank you to Gail Ambrosia for lending her talents as a celebrity judge.

Read more about the event at WKOW’s coverage here: Pub serves local beers to benefit breast cancer recovery

Please don’t forget this Sunday’s Beer and Chocolate Tasting!
It’s a great Valentine’s Day date for an even greater cause.

Valentine’s Day Beer and Chocolate Tasting
Sunday, 2/14
1-4 p.m.
Dexter’s Pub
301 North Street, Madison, WI

Enjoy all the beer and chocolate you like! $20 gets you a pint glass and unlimited tastings from ten local breweries including Lake Louie, Capital Brewery, Great Dane, Ale Asylum and more. Bring a chocolate dish to share and admission is only $15. Best chocolate dish will be judged by a panel of celebrity judges.
All proceeds from the event benefit Breast Cancer Recovery. We hope to see you there!