An afternoon of yoga and support

Editor's Note: This article is written by Maureen Oar, RYT at YOGA Loft. She has met all the educational requirements needed to be registered with the national Yogo Alliance and has pursued additional studies in the therapeutic applications to yoga.

As I turned up the heat, turned on the lights, put on the music and swept the floor at the Yoga Loft, I wondered, “How many will come this afternoon?”

People began to arrive. I greeted familiar faces and welcomed new ones. Before I knew it, we had 21 people join us.

Within the group we had, men and women, old and young, people that had never done yoga before and those that were returning for more.

I thought to myself, “This is what yoga is all about.”

Yoga is for every body and can be adapted and adopted to fit all needs. As we introduced ourselves, some people shared what they felt comfortable with and others just spoke their name. What they shared wasn’t important; we knew we were all there to support one another.

Yoga is a way for survivors to manage the symptoms and the stress of cancer, beyond diagnosis and treatment. Just as important for the caregivers, yoga helps us manage the stress of a loved one dealing with the challenges that arise. Next Month, Sunday May 5th, the doors are wide open as we welcome you onto the path of Yoga...

Yoga for the Cancer Journey

Come and learn how yoga can help you to create, stimulate and maintain an optimum state of physican and emotional health.

Cancer survivor and certified yoga instructor Maureen Oar, RYT has met all the educational requirements needed to be registered with the National Yoga Alliance and has pursued additional studies in the therapeutic applications of yoga. This class is created to meet the needs of any level of health and fitness and to support you in modifying your practice appropriately.

Anyone living with cancer, survivors and caregivers are welcome. All classes are located at The Yoga Loft, 219 Legion Way SW, Suite 202, Olympia, 98501. View Flyer >>

• Sunday, May 5, 1-2:20 p.m.
• Sunday, June 2, 1-2:20 p.m.
• Sunday, July 7, 1-2:20 p.m.

Inspirational Moments: We are not alone

Hello my name is Marissa and I am a chemotherapy infusion nurse at Providence Centralia Hospital’s out-patient infusion center in Lacey. I have been working there for a year and half and prior to that I worked on the Oncology unit at Providence St. Peter’s Hospital.

I recently got the opportunity to participate in the Susan G Komen 3 Day Walk for the Cure. The whole experience filled me with awe to see all the people there walking to support a loved one or who were there because they themselves were survivors, and humbled me at the thought of all the people that were there to help fight against this disease. There were 1,300 people that participated in the walk.

It was amazing to see the community that was created in such a short period of time, everyone supporting one another, encouraging those that they met to keep going and letting them know that they can do it. At the end of each day everyone would gather round the finish line to cheer on the last walkers coming in.

To see such a show of support for one another was a reminder of how we are not alone and we are a part of a something bigger than just ourselves.

   

Have you ever participated in a walk? We'd love to hear about it in the comments!

If you'd like to learn more about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day you can visit their website.

A new Mom's cancer struggle

I learned the truth of the saying “It takes a village” shortly after the birth of my daughter Lily on August 4, 2005. Although she was born by emergency C-section, both of us appeared healthy.

Lily was indeed a happy, robust baby, but within weeks of her birth, I knew something was wrong with me beyond the usual new-mom exhaustion. Doctors subjected me to a battery of tests, and on November 21, 2005, only 3½ months after Lily’s birth, I learned I had malignant plural mesothelioma.

Also known as mesothelioma cancer, this disease attacks the lining of the lung. Its primary cause is asbestos exposure, which I must have encountered at some point in my childhood.

Given 15 months to live without treatment, all I could think about was Lily growing up motherless. Theprognosis for mesothelioma is poor, so I opted for an aggressive course of treatment. My husband and I went to Boston, where on February 2, I underwent a treatment for mesothelioma known as extrapleural pneumenectomy, surgery in which my left lung was removed. I spent 18 days in the hospital following the procedure and two additional months recovering before I began chemotherapy and radiation.

But I wasn’t just a cancer patient—I was a new mother as well. Without the support of our village, we wouldn’t have made it. We learned who our true friends were: some people we depended on were nowhere to be found, while others we didn’t even realize were part of our village generously offered their love, assistance, and prayers.

While my husband and I were in Boston, my parents cared for Lily back in my childhood home of South Dakota, where a village surrounded them as well. Girls I used to babysit now babysat Lily while my parents worked. Members of the church I’d attended and people I grew up with were there for my parents as well.

In Boston, my husband and I found support with new friends, many of whom were dealing with the same challenges that we faced. My mom emailed me photos of Lily’s milestones: moving from bottles to food, scooting, and rolling around. After my husband printed the photos, the nurses would pass them around and exclaim over them. I never lost sight of the fact that I was fighting for Lily.

Today, we live far from my parents and sometimes don’t see them for months, but they are deeply bonded with Lily. We all learned a lesson about the fragility of life and the importance of embracing the moments we have.

I try to embrace the good things that came from my cancer diagnosis. One of those good things was the awareness of my village, a network of love support stretching from Boston to South Dakota and beyond. I am so thankful for all the wonderful things people did for my family and me.

To learn more about malignant mesothelioma, click here >>

Do you have a story to share? Send us an e-mail or leave us a note in the comments.

Puget Sound Race for the Cure

Guest Blogger and Breast Cancer Survior, Rebecca Seago-Coyle stands with Providence Regional Cancer System Breast Cancer Patient Navigator Andrea Potter, RN, CPPN-IC at the Susan G. Komen Puget Sound Race for the Cure.

Over $1 million was raised this year! Learn more about The Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure by clicking here >>

If you'd like to read Rebecca's story, Running through cancer, click here >>

And if you'd like to check out 7 'take charge' tips from Andrea, click here >>

Join me for an evening of answers and support

Free Community Event: Living With and Beyond Cancer
May 16, 2012, 6:30-8 pm
Providence Centralia Hospital, basement classroom
Call 360.493.7247 to register or visit www.provregister.org

We are offering this program three more time this year, click here to view all our free resources >>

A diagnosis of cancer can shake your world. Coping with the disease, its treatment, and the aftermath can make you question your identity, decisions, relationships, etc.

What is "normal"? How should I be coping? Why do some people make such unhelpful comments?

Join me (pictured to the left, at a recent survivorship event in Lewis County) for an evening of support, resources and connections whether you are newly diagnosed, in the midst of treatment or a long-term survivor.

Need more information? Here’s what past participants are saying about the program:

"You provided us with hope and good materials, for which I have always been thankful."

"I want to thank you for shedding such a bright light on the emotional, feeling side of this disease. I am so much better equipped to deal with my breast cancer now that I have your information."

"Cobie, your talk was wonderful – enlightening, informative and supportive."

"Thank you for your inspiring presentation. Your comments regarding completing treatment and being pushed from the perceived safety of the infusion/hospital environment truly touched me. Moving from a state of actively treating my disease to watchful waiting is still, a year later, very difficult for me."

"Thanks again for coming to Longview to speak to our group. I have to tell you that during the sharing time they all reflected on what you said and were so grateful for the words of wisdom. You have a gift for sharing such truly remarkable insights that can benefit anyone regardless of their situation. They all loved you!"