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Fourteen years past my original diagnosis of breast
cancer, I discovered a mass in the mastectomy side. It looked and
felt the same and was in a similar location to the original mass.
Although I was not aware that cancer could return after a
mastectomy, I knew in my heart it was cancer. When the laboratory
analysis confirmed my suspicion, memories of my first cancer
diagnosis began to surface.
I’ll never forget how I felt when I first heard the words “You have
cancer.” I was devastated! I felt ashamed. I felt like I had brought
the cancer “curse” to my relatives, for no one in my extended family
had been diagnosed with cancer. And to my knowledge, no one I knew
had cancer. If they did, they certainly didn’t talk about it openly.
My husband, family and friends were very supportive.
I also received spiritual help from my pastor and church family. But
underneath it all, there was a tremendous void. I felt alone and
depressed. I needed to be with other people who had cancer….people
who understood deep in their guts exactly what I was feeling. I was
scared to death. I couldn’t sleep, eat or concentrate.
Mary Moller, a dear friend who had recently been
diagnosed with ovarian cancer, tried to console me. She brought me a
book entitled From Victim to Victor, written by Dr. Harold Benjamin.
In this book, Dr. Benjamin wrote about The Wellness Community as a
free resource of hope, education and support for people diagnosed
with cancer. I remembered reading Gilda Radner’s book in which she
devoted a full chapter to The Wellness Community. Wow! I had found
the answer. Well, not quite yet.
I called Dr. Benjamin and was told that there were
no Wellness Communities in our area, but we could start one. I
talked to my friend Ellen Hamilton about this idea. She was
enthused. We began to organize immediately.
The rest of this story is kept in three large
scrapbooks at The Wellness Community - Delaware which received its
charter in 1993 and opened its doors in 1996. It thrives in all
three counties in Delaware.
Although a lot has changed in the last fourteen
years, one important thing remains a constant. I still need the
support of other people who can understand and relate when I talk
about my cancer experience.
Having observed The Wellness Community as the
Executive Director, I now have the opportunity to personally
experience our educational programs, mind body classes and social
events. Most importantly, I am a participant in a weekly support
group. I can confirm firsthand that our programs are
state-of-the-art. They have helped me regain control and have given
me a sense of comfort and peace that I didn’t have the first time
around.
Often I am asked about my cancer experience and if
it has made a difference in my life. My answer is yes! Cancer has
definitely improved the quality of my life. I look in the mirror
every morning and say, “Hey, you in the mirror. You’re still alive.
Make it a great day!”
Cynthia Dwyer |
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