By Maggie Fisher, Wind River 2014 Alum

Centuries ago when I was in high school I remember one of my favorite teachers saying to me, “A sad saint is a sorry saint.” To be honest, I had no idea what she was talking about and it confused me  because I was certainly not a saint, nor was I aspiring to be.  At the time I was an angst-ridden teenager who was caught up in high school drama and feeling very sorry for myself and my pitiful life.  What my teacher was trying to tell me at the time was that if I chose to be miserable, I would be miserable. Once I grasped her concept, I took it to heart and deliberately worked at being more upbeat, involved, and happy. Did that mean I was no longer a tormented teenager? Not entirely – but I was more aware of my demeanor and consciously took steps to avoid falling back into the “feeling sorry for myself” trap in which I’d been languishing.

As I’ve been dealing with my cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment these past many months, my teacher’s words have been very much in my mind. Anyone who has experienced this knows that it is very easy to feel sorry for oneself and to find yourself asking the Powers that Be, “Why me?”  Not only is a diagnosis very scary, but chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation can be grueling, make us feel horrible, weaken our bodies, and destroy our spirit. Quite frankly – the whole thing stinks. Not only are you dealing with the physical and emotional effects of diagnosis and treatment – but on top of that you are handing over control of your life to your illness and to the clinicians who are treating you. It’s frustrating, exhausting, and defeating.

This is where that piece of wisdom I received so many years ago took on a whole new meaning for me. With so much now out of my control, I considered the things that I could control. Obviously diet and exercise are two very worthy biggies. In addition to those however I realized that I could control my attitude and my outlook. It wasn’t always easy and I definitely wasn’t able to maintain it around-the-clock, but by trying to be cheerful and to focus on the positives in my life I felt empowered. Trust me, I’m no Pollyanna. I still cry myself to sleep occasionally, I still curse my weakened body as I struggle to climb the stairs at night, and I’m still annoyed that I have little feeling in my fingertips. But more often than not, I try to keep a smile on my face, laugh at things that are funny (and maybe not so funny), breathe deeply, and appreciate what’s good in my life.

It’s so easy to focus on the negative when you feel like crap, but that’s giving in. It’s letting the disease control you. Instead, think back to what my teacher told me, oh so many moons ago, “A sad saint is a sorry saint.” Don’t be a sad saint. Resolve to be happy – even if it’s just to smile at another anxious patient while waiting to see your oncologist. Watch a funny show on TV and laugh out loud. Look at silly cat videos on YouTube. Do something every day that makes you smile – or even better LAUGH OUT LOUD. I promise that if you do, you will regain some of the control you have relinquished, but more importantly, you’ll feel better – both physically and emotionally.

Over the past 8 years we have observed the power that comes when an individual is both motivated to participate in their own healing process AND when that same individual is properly armed with tools to better manage the physical and emotional challenges that come from living with cancer.

Wind River is leveraging its depth of talent to give you and your spouse or partner a chance to add to your "tool box" of "stress busters", and help you improve your coping skills and overall well-being.

The day will be filled with small experiential workshops and you will rotate from one session to another (think of mini samplers).  Together we will sample:

• Breath-work and mindfulness exercises to lower stress during anxious times
• Energy medicine to restore balance and harmonies in the body
• Understanding how your brain works to improve communication (with doctors, spouses and yourself!)
• Movement to activate your immune and natural healing system
  

Saturday February 7, 2015

10am - 4pm (including lunch by the creek)

At Wind River ( Tryon, NC)

No charge.  Sponsored by Wind River Cancer Wellness Retreats & Programs

Space is limited.   Return form below or inquire and apply at info@windriverservices.org

Presenters: Shirley Ballantyne, a registered nurse and graduate of Duke University with over 30 years of clinical experience in multiple fields of medicine, including critical care, obstetrics, neonatology, and hospice.  Shirley is a certified Healing Touch Instructor and Practitioner at Mission Hospital in Asheville. She believes in eating dessert first, always doing her best, taking nothing for granted, and speaking from her heart. 

Shannon Carney, a 12 year breast cancer survivor, currently runs Wind River Cancer Wellness programs focusing on helping people deal with the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual stresses that often come with the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness.  She is also an attorney and yoga therapist.

David Pschirer, cancer caregiver, musician, landscape designer and co-founder of Wind River Cancer Wellness programs.  Like Shannon, Dave is an outdoor enthusiasts who believes in the rejuvenating power of nature as well as the importance of "balance" - balance between what others need from you and what you need for yourself.

We are SO excited for the New Year!  Check out these highlights and visit our calendar for more added all the time!

Upcoming Events
See our calendar for a complete listing of events


Wed. Jan 28
24 Hours of Booty Pre-Registration Party!
Dilworth (Charlotte)
Thinking about signing up for Booty this year?  DO IT! And get your free ticket to their kick off happy hour! 


Saturday February 7th
Mind-Body Stress Buster Workshop
10am - 4pm
Tryon, NC (Wind River)
Caregivers AND Survivor workshop with Shirley Ballantyne & Wind River!
contact Shannon if you are interested!
Apply with Shannon


Saturday March 7
Get Your Rear in Gear
Freedom Park, Charlotte
Family Run and 5K supporting Colon Survivors.  Cheryl will be serving up smoothies! (This run helps fund colon survivors who come to Wind River!)


Fri. - Sat. March 13-14th
Shift Charlotte
SHIFT Charlotte is the largest local Charlotte event dedicated solely to health, well being and natural living.  (Shannon is a teacher Friday night - sign up for her table!)


March 20-21st
GYN Women's Retreat
Fri 6pm - Sat 5pm
King, NC
Fun, friendship and bon fire! Apply Now! (NC residents)

April 16-29th and
May 28 - 31st
Cancer Wellness Retreats
Tryon, NC (Wind River)
Ideal for individuals looking to embrace their cancer journey and soak in the joy of time in Nature! 

Fri - Sat May 1, 2
NC Survivorship Summit
Asheville, NC
Wind River will be hosting 3 workshops as part of this great event, open to survivors and caregivers in NC!  Sign ups will be available through the State soon.  Contact Shannon if you wish to be notified.

Saturday May 9th
3rd Cancer Wellness Walk for Wind River
10am - 4pm
Help Wind River keep going as a free resources to survivors!
Details and sign up coming February 2nd!