Hello my name is Cynthia, and I began at Cancer Lifeline in the spring of 2021 when I was encouraged by the social worker where I had received chemo to try a support group.  I was at a low—had started having daily emotional meltdowns, feeling so overwhelmed I couldn’t take care of my basic needs, so full of fear I couldn’t function.  This was 1 1/2 years into the experience with cancer which began in June 2019 when I felt really sick, was diagnosed with diverticulitis, and in the hospital for a week on IV antibiotics for abdominal infection and an “abscess.” I continued to have lower left abdominal pain in August 2019.  The “abscess” turned out to be an ovarian tumor that poked a hole in my colon!  Nasty little bugger!  Surgery and a temporary colostomy got the tumor and sigmoid colon out in August, then port insertion in September, then 9 weeks of chemo.

My Mom had a stroke in November.  Because I was in the middle of chemo,  I was not able to travel to Montana to be with her.  I was coordinating her care by phone and was able to talk to her.  A scan found a huge tumor in her abdomen.  I flew to Montana when the nine weeks of chemo was finished. She died December 1, 2019.  I am so grateful l made it to be with her 2 days before she died.  Not being able to be with her after the stroke was one of the worst parts of going through cancer treatment. 

I had a second surgery a week after my Mom died to reverse the colostomy and remove a few more bits.  I had 9 more weeks of chemo in 2020, then took a PARP inhibitor pill for 2 years.  The cancer is gone!  I have a very low risk of recurrence because the tumor was removed before spreading to the lymph.  YAY!

I was afraid to try a cancer support group—I am so grateful I did.  The Women’s support group has been the foundation for healing because people understand.  The skill and humor of our facilitator create a safe space.  I am able to tell the truth and talk about the highs and lows.

I enthusiastically started taking classes—coping with cancer, meditation, painting, and drawing.  I learned so much, and it was comforting to be with people experiencing similar emotions.  The drawing and painting classes brought great joy— I was a beginner at both in a wholistic, supportive atmosphere.  They were a welcome distraction from fatigue, grief, anxiety, and side effects of treatment. 

As I healed with the help of Cancer Lifeline, the anxiety and overwhelm lessened.  I finished treatment April 2022, and Vital Moves helped me start to regain fitness.  I love the music and movements.  I started out sitting in the chair and feeling exhausted at the end, and now I stand and dance through the whole class.  The movement and yoga classes have gently and safely got me back to being active again.  I wish I would have known more about staying safely active during treatment when I was diagnosed.  Equine therapy has also been wonderful—the horses are good for my spirit.

My favorite lately is Art Process group.  It has become integral to continued emotional and spiritual healing.  I love art making in parallel in community—going at my own pace and creating from present moment experience. The meditations, journaling, and witnessing are so respectful, gentle, and powerful. I’ve attended online and now am strong enough to drive to Seattle for in person Art Process in 2024.

Thank you Cancer Lifeline and all the friends I’ve made there for caring and sharing me back to health and wholeness.