Hurray for Lance

FINALLY! Something concrete. I have been signed up for the Lance Armstrong email service and gotten his publications Heal and Cure ever since I first found one of his magazines in my Yale oncologists' waiting area. It has been mildly helpful, encouraging to read that others are going through similar experiences, a bit scary to hear the complete story about the potential side effects. Some of their conferences sounded interesting, but they were always too far away or at a bad time.

This week I got an email telling me about a free program for cancer survivors at the local YMCA - a fitness program geared especially for your personal needs. I bit. I emailed the Y to ask for further information. This is a terrific program where you meet with a trainer, they ask about your personal experience with cancer and what you would like to do to deal with the leftover symptoms to get back into shape.

Best part is, not only is the 12 week time free for you, but also for your immediate family. I made an appointment for the initial conversation that would determine whether I am eligible, what my needs are, how it works. I liked the place right away, even though I had never been there. There's a Y closer to our apartment, but it doesn't have this program.

How delightful to meet so many morning people! It restores my faith in mankind. The place was buzzing and everyone was talking and laughing and greeting each other. After taking down my information and assessing that I was in fact eligible, I got the tour. The room of special interest for me was the Gulik Gym. Here were simple exercises designed to slowly work you back into shape in a holistic way without aggravating anything that might be tender or sensitive for your body.

Water aerobics were also suggested along with heated whirlpool for achy joints. They keep the pool temperatures in the 80s! Interesting change of pace. She also showed me the "regular" equipment, but we both recognized that I was not ready for such stuff. A long term goal perhaps, but well beyond the 12 weeks.

Next step, get my doctor to sign the approval form stating that I am Ok to do this. Then I get measured and documented. They put me in their system, and everytime I come, I log in for each area I do something. They keep track of what I have done so they can guide and direct along the way. Then I get to bring the boys who can do whatever they would like while I am working on my turtle-paced stuff, but still get to support and encourage me to be there. Nice.

My guide told me they are working on this program slowly and don't have a lot of people enrolled yet. As we chatted about the after effects of cancer, I mentioned that I needed to find a nutrition program like this physical fitness program because I have the most amount of trouble figuring out how to get the nutrition I need but not blow my body up with too much fiber etc. Well, turns out she is going to Chicago just this week to learn about that from the Lance Armstrong foundation clinic. Yeah!

Maybe I will really find the right help to put the pieces of Humpty-Dumpty back together again. Wouldn't that just be the icing on the cake!