As I was going through my cancer (it does not deserve a capital) rollercoaster of chemo, radiation and herceptin therapy, the Sunshine Room was my safe Heaven. The volunteers were sooo sweet. The hairstylists making me feel beautiful with or without hair ;o), strangers handing me tissue or a hug, the therapists providing an escape from life or just some calmness.
The Sunshine Room was a blessing for my family as well. It helped ‘normalize’ that year for my children. They came with me to find the perfect scarf to wear for a date with my husband. When my sister came from out-oftown she was treated to a massage while I had a chemo session. It dissolved a lot of the anxiety she had in coming to see me.
I participated in the yoga classes for almost two years. Loved it!!! And during a couple of visits I had two people come to me at different times and asked, “Can you swim?” I thought it was an odd question… perhaps some kind of initiation to surviving cancer. When my response was “Whyyyyyy?” they said “When you are ready, we have a boat for you”.
The yoga gave me enough confidence to try some other physical activities. I was one of the first to participate in the Transition Beyond Treatment program – again, an awesome opportunity. From there I learned about the Bosom Buddies of Nova Scotia.
The Bosom Buddies of Nova Scotia is a dragonboat team of breast cancer survivors and support paddlers. I have been a member since 2010. It has been the best ‘group therapy’ I have experienced since the beginning of my ‘cancer rollercoaster ride’. We have been practicing on Lake Banook in Dartmouth from Spring to October.
This year we were paddling and focusing on the BIG weekend of October 18-19. “What’s that” you may ask? – Yes, you may ! It was the International Dragonboat Festival in Sarasota, Florida. Teams from alllll over the world came to Florida for this grand event. We represented Nova Scotia well in our tartan shorts, kilts, and sashes, all accented by our ‘Blue Nose’ noses and sou’ wester hats worn during the international parade.
We handed out Nova Scotia and Canada pins during the parade. Alas, it was the races that had everyone’s heart racing whether you were a spectator or paddler. Some races were sooo close it needed a photo finish to confirm the times.
What a great experience, being so far from home but still hearing “Go Bosom Buddies!!!”
I think we did Nova Scotia proud. We placed 10th in Canada and 22nd internationally. All the teams received medals because we are all winners. As one of my most inspiring t-shirts, a gift from my sister, Jeannie says “The miracle isn’t that I finished, the miracle is that I had the courage to start”. For all the Buddies who could not be there we felt their positive energy and support.
A gathering of this magnitude shows how breast cancer affects people all over the world, for it gives us a sisterhood of strength and hope. I am so happy that I was able to attend. It has been fantastic!!! Pictures speak a thousand words.
– Sheila O’Brien
Originally published in The Sunshine News