McLeod Cancer Center

Shelby’s Group – Embracing a New Year January 13, 2011

Happy New Year!  We begin 2011 looking forward to a healthy new year with renewed energy as we bid goodbye to 2010.  This past year, as group members, we focused on lifestyle changes such as better nutrition,  sharing a vegan meal and an informational discussion of foods that can enhance our health.  We expanded our knowledge of cancer by having Dr. Bajaj answer questions for us, and we had a physical therapist talk to us about lymphedema. In addition, this therapist was very kind and offered one on one screenings for interested members.  In 2010, we also focused on making new friends, while being available to those of us who have “been there” so that we can continue the survival journey by becoming empowered to learn and make lifestyle changes that can enhance our health.

Recently as you know, I attended a Survivorship Conference for Cancer Clinicians sponsored by Harvard University Medical School at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The focus or theme of the conference was Living Well Beyond Cancer, which is certainly a goal this group with each other’s support can accomplish, whether you have just been diagnosed, are in treatment, just finished treatment, or are a long term survivor. We can all learn to “Live Well Beyond Cancer” or as Tracy Fitzpatrick, a coach and cancer survivor, describes as becoming a “thriver.”  As a group we have embraced this concept and in a sense are focusing on a survivorship model to improve both our physical and emotional health. 

So as we learn to “Live Well Beyond Cancer,” the New Year brings us Teresa Dullaghan, a yoga instructor, who has graciously and excitedly offered to meet with our group on an ongoing basis to provide yoga techniques that will enhance our well being.  As all of you know, research shows that yoga can help cancer patients improve: feelings of fatigue, anxiety related to the cancer experience, and your overall health. Teresa will be joining us at our January meeting, which will take place at the McLeod Resource Room on January 20, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. 

Do join us as we look forward to an invigorating 2011!

Raquel