Reflection ~ FD 2014

I have reached a level of BLISS:  perfect happiness; great joy.

Though this is a wonderful feeling, it’s scary to think that it can’t get much better than this.  But, it does . . . maybe not in the same way, but in its’ own way, it always does.

 I recently wrapped up my 2014 First Descents experience for the summer with 3 amazing camps ~ each one of them so unique and beautiful.

Here are 10 important life lessons I was reminded of during FD:

1.              Tenacity.  Don’t give up!  Chemo?  Bruises from swimming?  Kayak going in circles?  No problem!  The FD participants reminded me of the importance of never giving up.  When situations get uncomfortable, sometimes I revert to finding excuses to 'even the table'.  I was reminded to get after it and if life keeps spinning in circles; if I fail, get knocked around and get a few bruises; or, if I’m just tired . . . don’t give up, as challenges are just part of the process.

2.              Share yourself with others.  When times get tough, reach out for support.  No matter what the reason, many cancer survivors keep their cancer a “secret” when diagnosed and through treatment.  However, when they look back at the emotional, physical and mental effects, they all said they would encourage everyone diagnosed with cancer to find support.  The best thing about finding a support group is that everyone in your group ‘understands’ what you’re going through. 

Listening to their stories has taught me to seek out support from loved ones when things get challenging.  Asking for support, seeking out friends and loved ones IS NOT a sign of weakness, but a sign of ‘being real’.  We all need support and love.

3.              Laugh.  Keep laughter in your life, always.  Never lose the desire to be ‘young at heart’.

Huddles cheering on the kayakers.

4.              Love.  We have no idea what someone has gone through in their past.  Walking into the household day #1 of First Descents, we have around 20 “strangers” from all over the US; different personalities; different beliefs; different backgrounds; and different struggles . . . one thing in common, cancer.  In 5 days, these ‘strangers’ become family because they support, encourage, love and laugh together all week. 

Show love . . . always!  We don’t know the struggle of the person next to us . . . and if you really want to know, reach out and ask them!

 

5.              Out living it.  Do something that scares you every day . . . yes, everyday!

6.              Eat well.  Eat well . . . feel well.  The health of our body starts from the inside . . . feed your body good things.  (FD cookbooks available . . . yum, yum)

7.              Arm wrestle.  A little fundraiser fun during our FD camps on the Rogue.  Sometimes you just have to take on the challenge for a good cause.

"Lox" and I arm wrestling for an FD fundraiser

The "bets" for Mrs. R (me) and Lox

8.              Be yourself.  When you’re happy with yourself, you can BE yourself.  And . . . being yourself is good enough!

9.              Confidence.  Confidence comes from trying things you didn’t think you could do.  You always come out learning something new about yourself.  To improve your confidence, go back to #5.  

10.          Share the FD experience with others.  All these points are pretty much wrapped up in one experience ~ the FD experience.  Help get the word out about this opportunity, because it “CHANGES LIVES”.  

 “It is better to have lived one day as a lion than a thousand years as a sheep.”   

Charles M. Schultz

BE KIND ~  KIND is a proud supporter of First Descents and a recent support to the work that I do.

**  Photos courtesy of First Descents.

The Ambivalence of a disease: Cancer

Disease eats away at the normal functions or structures in the body.  Our goal in life is to avoid disease by exercising, eating healthy, drinking lots of water, getting plenty of rest, etc.  Disease not only affects the physical body of the person, but also the mental health of the individual and the people closest to them.

Cancer is one of THE most feared disease in the world today.  When we hear “cancer”, more often then not the thought of DEATH jumps in our heads first.  After that initial thought and shock do we take a breath and figure out what path to take regarding treatment.

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer over 15+ years ago.  She shared the same fears and challenges as all cancer victims ~ being sick from treatment, losing her hair, fatigue, loneliness, etc.  My dad was her stable support throughout her treatment and I am thankful, everyday, that he was there for her.

Cancer hadn’t been ‘on the radar’ until my mom was diagnosed.  Even then, once she finished treatment, life went on as usual.  It almost seemed as if it was a subject to ‘forget about’ amongst family and friends. 

A few years later, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer.  “What was up with all this cancer stuff”, I thought for a moment.  But again, once the treatment was finished, everyone went on with their lives.

It wasn’t until I became involved with an organization over 10 years later called “First Descents”, that I really learned what cancer is all about.  I have been involved with this organization for about 7 years now.  This experience has given me the opportunity to sit down with cancer survivors and cancer victims and learn how this disease has affected them, their lives’, their families, etc. 

I have heard stories about relationships ending because of the stress that cancer had caused.  I have heard stories about schools unwilling to work with their students going through cancer treatment.  I have heard some pretty unbearable stories from survivors and those still in treatment.

I have also heard stories about support and love.  I have witnessed, first-hand, these “First Descent” participants finding strength when they didn’t know it existed inside of them.  I have witnessed laughter through fear.  I have witnessed the most amazing “families” being developed at the end of these FD camps and the support continuing for years and years afterwards.  

 

This has changed my reaction towards cancer.  Yes, this disease SUCKS big-time, but it also forces YOU and the people around you to become the most amazing people and realize there is SO much more to life then work, play and everyday life.  Life is YOU, ME . . . US! 

I feel blessed that my entire family is playing their part in ‘fighting cancer’.  My mom demonstrated her strength through her treatment and supports cancer research through her Mary Kay business, myself with FirstDescents and my sister works with the LIVESTRONG Foundation in creating and supervising exercise programs for cancer survivors at her local YMCA.  And, well . . . my dad just supports his ladies in everything we do!

So, in a way, I have to say “thanks, cancer!  I hate you, but without you, we (mom, sister and I) wouldn’t have met the most amazingly, strong people and been a part of the most memorable experiences!”

Read here for a posting from awhile back about  my mom's cancer.