2020 ONLINE RETREAT FOR WOMEN WITH METASTATIC BREAST CANCER
September 14 – 17, 2020
Because of the Covid 19 pandemic, the annual retreat was held online on Zoom.
We thank our sponsors: United Breast Cancer Foundation; Musa Mayer
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Please see handouts from programs for the retreat
Participants enjoyed
guided discussions about issues specific to women with advanced breast
cancer, including dealing with difficult feelings, family night and
managing stress. Women share stories with - and learn from - other women
like themselves. There will be special speakers, physicians, and
others who offer unique services and information. BCO also offers
ongoing online metastatic support groups.
Grieving Fallen Sisters by Christie Schubert
Last
week was a horrible week. Two sisters I care for passed, another
entered hospice. Today, she is gone. It is the worst club I never
willingly joined.
Beautiful lives too young. It’s infuriating. It’s heartbreaking. It’s never fair.
It’s
a lie we all tell ourselves that we will be ready when it’s our time.
We’re not ready. Some of us far less ready than others. Some with vastly
more unfinished business than others. Loose ends not tied, experiences
not had, desires unfulfilled, even with extra time some can never be
fulfilled because of the new twisted trajectory we have unwillingly
taken. Sometimes simple ones just go unmet due to time and circumstance-
eat tacos one last time, say goodbye to that park with the incredible
view, dance and laugh with favorite people once more, have mind blowing
sex for the last time (and give my vagina the proper send off). So much
is always left undone....
Is
knowing you’re dying better than the alternative? Sure, you can check
some things off the “bucket list,” but there are so many others that
glare at you- taunting you with the knowledge you will never be able to
do them. So many things left undone. Some, despite the desire to
experience once more, will never be experienced again. That last time
you did it, you didn’t realize was actually your last time until now.
Everything,
large and small, is meaningful, depressing, deprived. Never having
children, never taking that trip to Italy that was planned, never
cuddling again with someone who adores you.
It’s all left unfinished and you know it. You must find a way to be ok with it. Resign yourself to it or accept it.
Again, particularly for the young, that list can be quite extensive. It requires a lot of resignation and acceptance.
I
am so, so sorry there were so many things left on your lists. I am so
sorry I am still here and you are not. It’s not fair. It’s not f***ing
fair.
Be filled completely with love, serenity, and comfort, beautiful women. May you all find your peace. 💜
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2019 RETREAT FOR WOMEN WITH METASTATIC BREAST CANCER
September 30 to October 4, 2019 at
the Omega Institute, Rhinebeck NY.
Sponsors: Omega Institute; Susan G. Komen Greater NYC; United Breast Cancer Foundation; Musa Mayer
The Retreat for women with metastatic breast cancer has been held annually at the Omega Institute, Rhinebeck NY since 2012. It is free to the women who attend. There are very few services and resources, besides drugs, for women with advanced breast cancer. "Pink messages" in October DO NOT include these women. Breast Cancer Options (BCO) began holding breast cancer retreats to serve this forgotten population.
Participants enjoy guided discussions about issues specific to women with advanced breast cancer, including dealing with difficult feelings, family night and managing stress. Women share stories with - and learn from - other women like themselves. We also bring in special speakers, physicians, and others who offer unique services and information. BCO also offers ongoing metastatic support groups. Open first to women from the Hudson Valley/NY area/Tri-state area..
Here are some of the comments from the women who attended:
My name is Brooke. I
was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer almost 3 years ago. I was 57. At that
time the Metastatic retreat was only 2 weeks away and I was so fortunate to get
the last spot available. At that early stage going to the retreat formed an
invaluable foundation for my continuing journey. From the beginning I knew that
I was not alone and that I had much support. I have been so fortunate to avail
myself of this support and resource for several more years since.
The program is well organized and provides
a wide variety of information and experience dealing with mind, body and
spirit. There is a a truly healing and empowering group dynamic over our
several days together. This circle is further supported by the peaceful and
loving atmosphere at Omega Institute.
This retreat is a unique and authentic
experience that is fueled at its genesis by the hard work and great generosity
of Breast Cancer Options. The Omega Institute and the United Breast Cancer
Foundation are compassionate sponsors that allow the retreat to happen. This
ripple effect continues to spread out with waves of sincere gratitude, on and
on and on...Thank you!
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I was fortunate to be
part of a healing and hopeful retreat for metastatic cancer thrivers @ Omega
Institute.
The location and
diverse program created a peaceful and freeing environment for us to just
be!
Thank you to all the
leaders and their helpers for making sure we all felt listened to and loved!
Thank you United
Breast Cancer Foundation. Thank you Omega
Blessings
Rosie
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I want to say Thank
you for giving me the opportunity to attend the Omega Institute retreat. Thank
you Omega, United Breast Cancer Foundation and Breast Cancer Options for making
this possible.
I was a little hesitant to attend this
retreat as I really didn’t know what to expect. It was my first retreat
as a person with MBC. I am so glad I attended because it gave me sense
that my life will continue to be ok. I learned how eat better for my
body. At first I was tired of the greens but then learned my body was
asking for the greens so I eat better after attending the retreat.
It was a pleasure to
be around other women who were experiencing either same feelings and emotions
about our disease. Though we’re different we had the something in common.
This retreat gave me a sense of peace within myself about my Disease. It
gave me a broader look on life. It gave me new friendships. It
taught me to continue to thrive.
I had so much fun attending the dance
class offered by Omega. Just dancing freely felt great.
Again thank you.
Looking forward till the next time.
PatriciaTorres
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A highlight of the year is, for me, the
Metastatic Breast Cancer retreat held at Omega Institute. I cannot tell
you how very much that retreat means as my appreciation does not adequately
express all that it means. It is a way to connect to people who are going
through difficulties of their own with the disease, from which a lot can be
learned and shared.
The warm feeling of friendships
formed, a deep connection that is not fund in any other situation of its type,
make this one of the most valuable events for going through this experience.
I so look forward to
the retreat, and cannot imagine life without it! It means that much to
me, as I know it does to others. It is with great thanks to the sponsors of the
retreat, United Breast Cancer Foundation, Omega Institute and Breast Cancer
Options, that they undertake making it available, and I know my gratitude for
having the opportunity to participate is deep and heartfelt. I hope that
you will be able to make this retreat once again available.
Sincerely, Kay
(I have been to 3 of
these wonderful experiences).
The retreat is facilitated by Nancy Plumer, M.S., a certified Kripalu yoga teacher and a certified One Light Healing Touch Practitioner and Instructor. Nancy has led many retreats. She was assisted by Karen Suppies, Karen Rapaport, RN and Beverly Canin, vice president of Breast Cancer Options.
The women took this opportunity to look at the issues surrounding their breast cancer, gather information, and move beyond an intellectual understanding of the disease. Exploring feelings and fears is an essential part of the healing process and participants enjoyed guided discussions about issues specific to women with metastatic breast cancer, including dealing with difficult feelings, living with advanced breast cancer, decreasing stress.