Retreat attended: All Stages at Madeline Island Aug 2021
Something learned at retreat that still resonates today: Every cancer journey is different. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to treatments. I think every lady at the retreat had a different course. They may have had some of the same medications, but in a different regimen or the cancer reacted differently. People have different lifestyles. How cancer affects one person is different from how cancer affects another. Getting to and from treatments may be all that one person can handle for the day. Favorite activity at retreat: It is difficult to pick just one. I liked all of the group talks we had. The information was great. Making the flag was so rewarding. Instead of feeling alone on my cancer journey, I was part of a group of women who are going through some of the same medical problems I am. I think what helped me the most was the ceremony in which we threw all of our worries out to sea. It really felt like a ton of bricks was lifted off of me.
What would tell someone that is on the fence about attending Take the time for yourself. Cancer is a disease that doesn't just go away. You may think you are fine, but dealing with the diagnosis of cancer is hard. I didn't think I needed this retreat. I was diagnosed with cancer, had surgery, and was done with it. Or so I thought. What I didn't realize was the amount of stress I was holding inside of me, wondering if the cancer would return, along with all of the other stressors. I found a group of women who listened and understood. I was able to talk about my fears in a safe environment. After attending the retreat, I felt I was a much better mother, wife, and person.
How did the retreat change your perspective and/or help you heal emotionally: I never really dealt with all of the emotions that had been dwelling inside me. My family needed me. I went back to work. Life goes on. Then I became Metastatic. All of those feelings came back 100-fold. I needed someone to talk to, yet I did not realize I wasn't communicating. I cried so much at the retreat as I was talking about my feelings. I never had time to really think about how I felt on this cancer journey until someone asked the question. Someone wanted to hear how I really felt. It felt so good to be able to cry. I was beginning to heal.
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Retreat attended: All Stages at Madeline Island Aug 2021
It is difficult to pick just one. I liked all of the group talks we had. The information was great. Making the flag was so rewarding. Instead of feeling alone on my cancer journey, I was part of a group of women who are going through some of the same medical problems I am. I think what helped me the most was the ceremony in which we threw all of our worries out to sea. It really felt like a ton of bricks was lifted off of me.
Take the time for yourself. Cancer is a disease that doesn't just go away. You may think you are fine, but dealing with the diagnosis of cancer is hard. I didn't think I needed this retreat. I was diagnosed with cancer, had surgery, and was done with it. Or so I thought. What I didn't realize was the amount of stress I was holding inside of me, wondering if the cancer would return, along with all of the other stressors. I found a group of women who listened and understood. I was able to talk about my fears in a safe environment. After attending the retreat, I felt I was a much better mother, wife, and person.
I never really dealt with all of the emotions that had been dwelling inside me. My family needed me. I went back to work. Life goes on. Then I became Metastatic. All of those feelings came back 100-fold. I needed someone to talk to, yet I did not realize I wasn't communicating. I cried so much at the retreat as I was talking about my feelings. I never had time to really think about how I felt on this cancer journey until someone asked the question. Someone wanted to hear how I really felt. It felt so good to be able to cry. I was beginning to heal. 