www.jointhejourney.us
Annual Ten Mile Breast Cancer Awareness Walk
Come walk with us...Sunday, September 19th 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Educational Opportunities Women’s Cancer Resource Room, Gonda 10-136 July 2010
Scrapbooking and Creative Cards with artist Jody Bower
Tuesdays: 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Photos provide a unique glimpse into our past. These sessions will introduce creative ways to display photos and make unique cards using scrapbooking materials and techniques.
Pink Ribbon Mentors
Available Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Pink Ribbon Mentors help newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients find answers to their questions and provide a shoulder to lean on.
Sponsored by Join the Journey whose mission is to promote breast cancer awareness in our community and to provide support to individuals on their breast cancer journey. (www.jointhejourney.us)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Heartstrings - Words of Hope, Healing and Humor By Karen Fryer
My journey started on an August Friday in 2005 when I went in for my routine mammogram. Later that day I was called at home and told that I needed to go back to the clinic on Monday for an ultrasound. I asked if they found something and the lady replied, "I’m sorry, I just make the phone calls." It was just my luck that it was 4 p.m. on a Friday. That was the longest weekend ever! I ended up telling my family about the pending appointment because they could tell how distressed and nervous I was and I didn’t want them to think that I was upset with them.
Monday finally came and after the ultrasound I found out that I had calcifications on my right breast. Needless to say, I was relieved, as I was thinking about a different "C" word than that. I was told to return for another mammogram in six months and I left, feeling lucky, grateful and relieved.
In February, I scheduled the follow-up mammogram appointment for a Monday, thinking things would be better this time. However, they found a lump on my right breast, in a different location then the calcifications. I was informed that a biopsy could be performed that day or I could think about it and come back the next day. I said, "I’m here, let’s do it now." At that moment I knew that my life would be changed forever.
The next morning my husband went with me to hear the biopsy results. I just had a gut feeling that the news wasn’t going to be good and was glad that he was able to be with me. We went to the Breast Clinic and met Dr. Sandhu, who has become my guardian angel. I thought I was ready to hear the news; however, when she started to tell us I felt an overwhelming urge to stop her and said, "I need my daughters here so you can tell all of us." Dr. Sandhu said she would be glad to wait until my daughters arrived. About a half an hour later my three daughters and two son-in-laws arrived. We were all together and Dr. Sandhu went on to explain everything.
It was so strange. I could hear Dr. Sandhu talk, but nothing was soaking in. Everything seemed like it was moving in slow motion. I’m the type of person who needs to be in control and know what is going to happen next. This information from Dr. Sandhu seemed foreign, strange, invasive, unknown – it scared me. Dr. Sandhu set up several tests, some starting that day. While we were waiting for those, my middle daughter and her husband went down to the gift shop and bought everyone in the family a pink breast cancer bracelet. This showed me that they were behind me and ready to support me during this battle that I was about to start.
My treatment plan was to have a lumpectomy followed by four rounds of chemo and six weeks of radiation. I had thought that chemo would start right after I was done healing from surgery. However, I came down with the flu and was quite sick, so chemo had to be delayed. This made me so frustrated because I had it etched in my brain that I was going to get through all these treatments and get my life back. It’s very hard to go from being healthy to having your life totally disrupted with health problems and medical appointments.
In the middle of April I was finally able to begin my first round of chemo. Before my hair fell out my daughters went with me to pick out a wig and some scarves. I knew that I had to make this into something fun (hey, when else would I become a cute blond?) and we had some good laughs with our shopping trip for “Mom’s new look.” When my hair started to fall out I decided to go ahead and get my head shaved, so we planned a family "hair cutting party." Our three daughters, two son-in-laws, and two grandkids took part in it, each taking a cut and putting it in a baggie as a keepsake. Then our middle son-in-law buzzed me. I have to say, I think it is every son-in-law’s dream to buzz their mother-in-law!
Losing my hair was, for me, one of the most difficult things about cancer. When I looked in the mirror, it didn’t seem like I was looking at myself, but at someone I didn’t know. However, several weeks later it was my birthday and my best friend gave me the perfect present — a photo album of 40 years growing up together. It was so funny to see all of the different hair styles that we had gone through! The last picture caught my eye; it was a recent picture at her dad’s funeral. I said, "I love my hair here." She laughed and said, "Karen, that’s your wig." It looked so good I forgot that it wasn’t my natural hair.
Another difficult effect from the cancer was the "chemo brain" I developed after I went through chemo and which I still experience at times. I would ask my family a question and find out that I had already asked it a couple of times, though I didn’t remember asking and I didn’t remember the answer. That was scary for me because I felt as if I was losing my mind and I didn’t know how long those chemo affects would last.
Finally, I celebrated completing chemo and radiation by walking in the Join the Journey 10 Mile Walk with my middle daughter. This was my "coming out day," the first day I didn’t wear a scarf or wig in public. It was me — beautiful, barely hair there, me. Even though I was still weak from treatment, we decided we could do it if I took it slow. We ended up completing all ten miles! What really shocked us was that we weren’t even the last ones to finish! Since then, we have participated in the walk every year either by walking or by paddling in the dragon boat with "Making Waves."
Katie Zahasky, my oncology nurse practitioner, told me about Making Waves, saying that it was good exercise. I was scared to death to try it because I didn’t know anyone in the group, but I am so thankful that she encouraged me to give it a try. It’s not a group of ladies who dwell on cancer; they dwell on having fun and enjoying life to the fullest. They make you feel like we are all a family - with a "sister bond!" This group of ladies got me out of my safe shell and encouraged me to join in. They made it easy to be a part of the group and enjoy the exercise and the camaraderie. We paddle on Wednesday evenings in the spring through the fall, and try to go to two to three dragon boat races a year. Even though I’ve never considered myself to be an athlete, these races are a blast! It is so amazing meeting people from all over. And we are all there for the same reason - paddling for a cure, cause or memory.
I was also contacted about becoming a "Pink Mentor" and felt honored to be asked. I am so thankful for this group as they have provided me a way to help others who are going through the same experience that I had. It is nice to have husbands and families to support you in your cancer experience, but to talk to someone that has experienced your fears/anger helps so much. To be able to help someone newly going through cancer treatment makes me feel like I am giving back for all the support I received.
Finally, I want to give a special thanks to my loving husband, three daughters, two son-in-laws, and grandchildren. If it wasn’t for them I couldn’t have done it!
Monday finally came and after the ultrasound I found out that I had calcifications on my right breast. Needless to say, I was relieved, as I was thinking about a different "C" word than that. I was told to return for another mammogram in six months and I left, feeling lucky, grateful and relieved.
In February, I scheduled the follow-up mammogram appointment for a Monday, thinking things would be better this time. However, they found a lump on my right breast, in a different location then the calcifications. I was informed that a biopsy could be performed that day or I could think about it and come back the next day. I said, "I’m here, let’s do it now." At that moment I knew that my life would be changed forever.
The next morning my husband went with me to hear the biopsy results. I just had a gut feeling that the news wasn’t going to be good and was glad that he was able to be with me. We went to the Breast Clinic and met Dr. Sandhu, who has become my guardian angel. I thought I was ready to hear the news; however, when she started to tell us I felt an overwhelming urge to stop her and said, "I need my daughters here so you can tell all of us." Dr. Sandhu said she would be glad to wait until my daughters arrived. About a half an hour later my three daughters and two son-in-laws arrived. We were all together and Dr. Sandhu went on to explain everything.
It was so strange. I could hear Dr. Sandhu talk, but nothing was soaking in. Everything seemed like it was moving in slow motion. I’m the type of person who needs to be in control and know what is going to happen next. This information from Dr. Sandhu seemed foreign, strange, invasive, unknown – it scared me. Dr. Sandhu set up several tests, some starting that day. While we were waiting for those, my middle daughter and her husband went down to the gift shop and bought everyone in the family a pink breast cancer bracelet. This showed me that they were behind me and ready to support me during this battle that I was about to start.
My treatment plan was to have a lumpectomy followed by four rounds of chemo and six weeks of radiation. I had thought that chemo would start right after I was done healing from surgery. However, I came down with the flu and was quite sick, so chemo had to be delayed. This made me so frustrated because I had it etched in my brain that I was going to get through all these treatments and get my life back. It’s very hard to go from being healthy to having your life totally disrupted with health problems and medical appointments.
In the middle of April I was finally able to begin my first round of chemo. Before my hair fell out my daughters went with me to pick out a wig and some scarves. I knew that I had to make this into something fun (hey, when else would I become a cute blond?) and we had some good laughs with our shopping trip for “Mom’s new look.” When my hair started to fall out I decided to go ahead and get my head shaved, so we planned a family "hair cutting party." Our three daughters, two son-in-laws, and two grandkids took part in it, each taking a cut and putting it in a baggie as a keepsake. Then our middle son-in-law buzzed me. I have to say, I think it is every son-in-law’s dream to buzz their mother-in-law!
Losing my hair was, for me, one of the most difficult things about cancer. When I looked in the mirror, it didn’t seem like I was looking at myself, but at someone I didn’t know. However, several weeks later it was my birthday and my best friend gave me the perfect present — a photo album of 40 years growing up together. It was so funny to see all of the different hair styles that we had gone through! The last picture caught my eye; it was a recent picture at her dad’s funeral. I said, "I love my hair here." She laughed and said, "Karen, that’s your wig." It looked so good I forgot that it wasn’t my natural hair.
Another difficult effect from the cancer was the "chemo brain" I developed after I went through chemo and which I still experience at times. I would ask my family a question and find out that I had already asked it a couple of times, though I didn’t remember asking and I didn’t remember the answer. That was scary for me because I felt as if I was losing my mind and I didn’t know how long those chemo affects would last.
Finally, I celebrated completing chemo and radiation by walking in the Join the Journey 10 Mile Walk with my middle daughter. This was my "coming out day," the first day I didn’t wear a scarf or wig in public. It was me — beautiful, barely hair there, me. Even though I was still weak from treatment, we decided we could do it if I took it slow. We ended up completing all ten miles! What really shocked us was that we weren’t even the last ones to finish! Since then, we have participated in the walk every year either by walking or by paddling in the dragon boat with "Making Waves."
Katie Zahasky, my oncology nurse practitioner, told me about Making Waves, saying that it was good exercise. I was scared to death to try it because I didn’t know anyone in the group, but I am so thankful that she encouraged me to give it a try. It’s not a group of ladies who dwell on cancer; they dwell on having fun and enjoying life to the fullest. They make you feel like we are all a family - with a "sister bond!" This group of ladies got me out of my safe shell and encouraged me to join in. They made it easy to be a part of the group and enjoy the exercise and the camaraderie. We paddle on Wednesday evenings in the spring through the fall, and try to go to two to three dragon boat races a year. Even though I’ve never considered myself to be an athlete, these races are a blast! It is so amazing meeting people from all over. And we are all there for the same reason - paddling for a cure, cause or memory.
I was also contacted about becoming a "Pink Mentor" and felt honored to be asked. I am so thankful for this group as they have provided me a way to help others who are going through the same experience that I had. It is nice to have husbands and families to support you in your cancer experience, but to talk to someone that has experienced your fears/anger helps so much. To be able to help someone newly going through cancer treatment makes me feel like I am giving back for all the support I received.
Finally, I want to give a special thanks to my loving husband, three daughters, two son-in-laws, and grandchildren. If it wasn’t for them I couldn’t have done it!
President's Thoughts-Join the Journey
May is such a wonderful month! It brings satisfaction and relief for having another completed winter and happy anticipation for summer and all things growing and green. It brings occasions to gather with family and friends in order to share holidays that remember and honor those dear to us. It brings school and church rituals to celebrate certain rites of passage with our young people. The “to-do lists” may be intimidating but the smell of blossoms in the air is exhilarating, isn’t it?!
Summer activities abound! We have been busy with preparations for our Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk and our website is now ready to accept your registrations and team pledges. We are delighted to be invited to participate in the RochesterFest Parade on June 25. Come on down and give us a wave when you see us float past on Big Red, our dragon boat. Making Waves, our floating support group, is gearing up to get back on the waters of Silver Lake and is hoping to participate in at least two dragon boat races. You Go Girls! We’ve also been invited to be a community partner at the Honker’s baseball game on Sunday, August 1. Bring your family and friends out and join us as we “root, root, root for the home team,” and don’t forget to wear your pink hat or shirt — and your sunscreen.
Participation in all of these activities helps us to not only stay socially connected and enjoy one another, it helps our organization carry out part of our mission – to raise awareness about breast cancer. As I write this today my heart is heavy with the very recent passing of a Join the Journey participant, a beautiful young woman diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. She was the epitome of living life to the fullest – quick to smile, pouring positive energy into whatever was on her plate, loving freely and completely. In Cat’s honor, I implore you to enjoy each moment as you enter this next season. Savor every experience. Make happy memories.
With Gratitude,
Elynn Welle
Join the Journey President
Summer activities abound! We have been busy with preparations for our Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk and our website is now ready to accept your registrations and team pledges. We are delighted to be invited to participate in the RochesterFest Parade on June 25. Come on down and give us a wave when you see us float past on Big Red, our dragon boat. Making Waves, our floating support group, is gearing up to get back on the waters of Silver Lake and is hoping to participate in at least two dragon boat races. You Go Girls! We’ve also been invited to be a community partner at the Honker’s baseball game on Sunday, August 1. Bring your family and friends out and join us as we “root, root, root for the home team,” and don’t forget to wear your pink hat or shirt — and your sunscreen.
Participation in all of these activities helps us to not only stay socially connected and enjoy one another, it helps our organization carry out part of our mission – to raise awareness about breast cancer. As I write this today my heart is heavy with the very recent passing of a Join the Journey participant, a beautiful young woman diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. She was the epitome of living life to the fullest – quick to smile, pouring positive energy into whatever was on her plate, loving freely and completely. In Cat’s honor, I implore you to enjoy each moment as you enter this next season. Savor every experience. Make happy memories.
With Gratitude,
Elynn Welle
Join the Journey President
Your Journey to Health An Acupuncture Approach to Health, Wholeness and Balance
The human being is an intelligent, energetic system with the ability to maintain or regain health and balance. Traditional Chinese Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing practices in existence. Its philosophy is based on the belief system that illness generally is caused by imbalances or blockage of "Qi," best translated as energy. Qi circulates throughout our bodies via so called Meridians.
Acupuncture can reestablish the harmonious flow of this energy. From western scientific point of view effects of a treatment can be observed as release of opioids and other peptides in the central and peripheral nervous system as well as changes in neuroendocrine function.
Besides the wonderful “endorphin-powered” deep relaxation and revitalizing effect of an acupuncture treatment, its specific use for cancer patients is to help manage common side effects caused by radiation and chemotherapy.
Empirical evidence and specific research findings suggest that it has been effective in: improving hematopoiesis, protecting the renal and hepatic functions, decreasing gastrointestinal side-effects especially vomiting and nausea. I commonly use it as well for dry mouth, for peripheral neuropathy, to increase appetite and to improve sleep. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in enhancing the immune function and leading to a general improvement of symptoms.
Most cancer patients are likely to be helped by an individualized integrative approach. The combination of the best treatment options the conventional medical system has to offer and the complementary care for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs are most promising. This involves the teaching of relaxation techniques and dietary counceling.Thus ancient rhythms keep pace with modern science and medical achievements. ”The Tao does not exhaust itself in what is greatest, nor is it ever absent from what is least; and therefore it is to be found complete and diffused in all things.” THERE IS HOPE!
Marina Keppler, LAc., MA, Dipl. Ac., Riverseasons, Rochester, Minn.
Ms. Keppler is a recurring presenter for Join the Journey's Strengthening Healing Sessions. www.riverseasons.net
marina@riverseasons.net
Acupuncture can reestablish the harmonious flow of this energy. From western scientific point of view effects of a treatment can be observed as release of opioids and other peptides in the central and peripheral nervous system as well as changes in neuroendocrine function.
Besides the wonderful “endorphin-powered” deep relaxation and revitalizing effect of an acupuncture treatment, its specific use for cancer patients is to help manage common side effects caused by radiation and chemotherapy.
Empirical evidence and specific research findings suggest that it has been effective in: improving hematopoiesis, protecting the renal and hepatic functions, decreasing gastrointestinal side-effects especially vomiting and nausea. I commonly use it as well for dry mouth, for peripheral neuropathy, to increase appetite and to improve sleep. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in enhancing the immune function and leading to a general improvement of symptoms.
Most cancer patients are likely to be helped by an individualized integrative approach. The combination of the best treatment options the conventional medical system has to offer and the complementary care for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs are most promising. This involves the teaching of relaxation techniques and dietary counceling.Thus ancient rhythms keep pace with modern science and medical achievements. ”The Tao does not exhaust itself in what is greatest, nor is it ever absent from what is least; and therefore it is to be found complete and diffused in all things.” THERE IS HOPE!
Marina Keppler, LAc., MA, Dipl. Ac., Riverseasons, Rochester, Minn.
Ms. Keppler is a recurring presenter for Join the Journey's Strengthening Healing Sessions. www.riverseasons.net
marina@riverseasons.net
Hot Flash Treatment Study
A new study is being offered for post-menopausal women with at least four hotflashes a day (Read more).
Making Waves Floating Support Group
Why choose dragon boating as a venue for survivors? Research has shown that breast cancer survivors who engage in repetitive activities, such as paddling, develop a marked improvement in both physical and mental health. Armed with positive effects of dragon boating, a group of enthusiastic breast cancer survivors from Rochester got organized and paddles every Wednesday evening in the summer on Silver Lake. Big Red came out of storage on the farm where she wintered, and was brought to Silver Lake for repairs and painting. We are getting excited for the Rochesterfest parade on Friday, June 25. For more information contact, Sheila Kramer at (507) 281-2879 or email makingwavesteam@gmail.com 
Check out the new United States Dragon Boat Federation website (www.usdbf.org). Be sure to click on the drums! This is sure to get you excited for paddling.
What's Happening ~ Join the Journey
Thank you to everyone who was able to come and help make Rochester (Silver Lake) a Litter Bit Better as we picked up litter in groups along the walking path. Silver Lake is a key location for Join the Journey, as the site of our annual walk. It is also the summer home and paddling site for Making Waves Floating Support Group. We were glad to give some of our time to make the park areas tidy for ourselves and other visitors.
Educational Opportunities Women’s Cancer Resource Room, Gonda 10-136 June 2010
Join the Journey’s Creative Support Sessions:
Tuesdays: 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Using color and your own creativity allows for self expression and can help to heal the spirit. Join us as we learn to work with beautiful water colors to calm our minds and relax our bodies.
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