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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (March 18, 2015)
Wednesday, March 18, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Making the most of what you’ve got in pursuit of health By Katy yoder Columnist Part of my recovery has been healing the relationship I have with my body. I didn’t realize it was an issue until I started exercising again. Walking with friends was good medicine on so many levels. I began to feel stron- ger, which encouraged me to do more. Gentle paddles in a kayak, hikes to places I’d always wanted to see and easy rides on my horse all invigorated me. As the summer came to a close, I was walking around three miles per day. I had plans to do my first 5K with a cancer survivor’s group I walked with once a week. But with all that walking, I began to feel a lot of pain in my feet and ankles. Having just gone through the rigors of cancer treatment, I didn’t take the pain very seriously. I thought it was just part of getting in shape and — compared to what I’d been through — I could tough it out. But one day, I realized I was really having trouble getting around. I went to my oncologist and found out that the post-cancer drug I was on was harming my connec- tive tissues, especially my Achilles tendons. When I went to a specialist, he said I’d done some damage to my tendons and it would take physical therapy and rest to get them back in working order. It seems I still haven’t learned that lesson about lis- tening to your body and mak- ing quick corrections when things are out of whack. Since I couldn’t walk long distances, I decided to look into Sisters Athletic Club. I had been a member 10 years before, but quit when I felt too self-conscious about working out with all those fit people. I know, a real coun- ter-productive way to look at it, but that’s how I felt at the time. Tate Metcalf generously offered a free month to try again. He also introduced me to a personal trainer, Chandra Hess who would help me exercise without hurting myself more. I began explor- ing what my body could do and where I had to be extra careful. The breast surgery I had caused the tendons under each armpit to be much tighter and easily strained. My chest area has scar tissue that is still sore from surgery and the radiation that keeps on “cooking” long after the last session. So I was a little apprehensive about how to use my upper body, not to mention the lymphedema lurking in both arms. I was completely out of touch with my body. I didn’t know how to activate mus- cles; it was as if they’d gone to sleep and I didn’t know how to wake them up. Part of that happened long before I got cancer. I was spending long hours at my desk and wasn’t balancing that with time getting out and moving my body. But there was another reason for that discon- nect I hadn’t addressed. Reacquainting myself with my languishing muscles forced me to take stock and face the fact that getting cancer made me stop trust- ing my body. Cancer was a betrayal. I had lost faith in my body and didn’t trust it anymore. One reality that I’ve come to accept is that once you’ve had cancer the thought of having it again is never far away. Feeling a strange twinge, something hard under the skin or even being over-tired can trigger a fear of reoccurrence. I don’t want to live in fear, so each time it comes up, I work on replac- ing that fear with faith that I’m OK. I was completely out of touch with my body. I didn’t know how to activate muscles; it was as if they’d gone to sleep and I didn’t know how to wake them up. I’m learning to trust my body again and to open my spirit up to loving and accepting my “soul suit” just the way it is. I’m using exercise as a way to feel that strength returning which gives me more confidence that my body will fight off any cancer cells in the future. My naturopath oncologist told me something that really hit home: she said that the most important thing I can do to avoid getting cancer again is exercising at least 30 minutes per day. The move- ment flushes toxins from your body and keeps every- thing running smoothly. It wasn’t the first time I’d been told that exercise was a key component to my recovery. I just hadn’t taken it seriously enough. But the growing fear of going through can- cer again was very effective at putting things in sharp focus and motivating posi- tive changes. It’s one of the gifts of this disease, discern- ment and gratitude result- ing in the fuel needed to do better. I’m starting to do some yoga again, too, and I’m really excited to incorpo- rate that into my exercise regime. I’m looking forward to working on controlling my breath, my muscles and learning how to reduce ten- sion. Getting into shape is opening up so many oppor- tunities for me to fully enjoy this amazing place that we call home. I plan to take full advantage of beauty around me. Anyone care to go for a hike? Partners in Care For most people, conversations around end-of-life issues can be difficult. It is an important topic, how- ever, and finding an opportune time to talk with your friends and family can ensure you have a chance to explore and communicate your wishes. Over 90 percent of people think it is important to talk to their loved ones about their wishes for end-of- life care, though fewer than 30 percent have, according to a survey by the Conversation Project. Seventy to 90 percent of Americans say they want to die in their home, though in reality 70 percent of us die in hospi- tals, nursing facilities, or long-term care facilities. We all need to make our wishes known, which can be done in several ways. Advance directives, which include living wills and medical powers of attorney, are legal documents in which a person specifies their wishes for end-of-life care. Advance directives should be done by all adults over the age of 18, and ideally should be completed when one is healthy. As people prepare their advance directives, they should talk about their decisions with family members and loved ones, and explain the reasons behind their choices. Of course your wishes may change over time, and these forms can all be updated as often as desired. There are many tools available to help with these discussions. One is called ‘The Conversation Project,’ which is a campaign in collaboration with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and aims to be sure people’s wishes regarding end-of-life care are expressed and followed. Their website, www.theconversationproject. org, contains a starter kit to help you organize your thoughts, and guides you on ways to have the discus- sion with those close to you. To learn how Parners in Care can help with these conversations, visit their web- site at www.partners-bend.org or call 541-382-5882. 15 “You’re in the right hands” Physical Th erapy Massage Th erapy Energy Balancing Pilates 541-549-3534 5 32 5 N. Locust St., Sisters 325 g greenridgept.com