(Plano) August 26, 2013 – The Plano Family YMCA has partnered with LIVESTRONG to participate in a cancer survivorship collaborative which focuses on the specific wants, needs and interests of cancer survivors.
The Y is dedicated to accommodating the needs and improving the quality of life of cancer survivors through the Wellness Enhancement Program and the implementation of exercise programs and educational materials. Instructors of the Wellness Enhancement Program are trained by Stanford University Health Improvement Program with the YMCA to give personal individualized instruction to program participants with an emphasis in the elements associated with cancer: post-rehabilitation exercise and supportive cancer care.
12 WEEKS OF HEALING
The YMCA offers a free, 12 week membership to help in a cancer survivor’s recovery when qualified by Oncologist’s referral.
In addition to the Plano Family YMCA, which is located at 3300 McDermott in Plano, the LIVESTRONG program is also offered at the following Y locations: Coppell, Cross Timbers, Frisco, Irving, Lake Highlands, T. Boone Pickens and Town North.
A CANCER SURVIVOR’S TESTIMONY
“You have cancer” are words no one should hear. But it’s an unfortunate part of life for a lot of people, including myself.
Your entire world stops when you’re told you have cancer. I didn’t know what I was going to do. You immediately start to cling to your family and friends. Having a strong support group really does help make the whole cancer process easier.
The treatment for a lot of cancers is pretty brutal. I went through 12 weeks of high dose chemotherapy. Chemo just destroys everything. I kind of looked at it like a tornado. Once the tornado is done damaging everything you have to start the repairs. I think I was at the point where I was motivated to start working on repairing the damage but I wasn’t sure how to do it.
I started off by eating a little better and going on walks but I didn’t really feel like I was accomplishing anything. I needed more than just exercise. I needed instruction. I needed support for what I just went through.
Sure I had my family but now I needed someone that I could relate to. I needed someone who understood all the aches and pains the chemo left behind. That’s when I found out about Livestrong at the Y – an opportunity to not only receive the instruction I needed from a personal trainer, but also the opportunity to interact with other cancer patients that understand what I went through.
Each session you’re met with encouragement. This encouragement comes not only from the trainers, but other members of the program. To be told each time “hey, you’re doing a great job” helps to keep me coming back. You work out at your own pace doing various things from light cardio to muscle toning – all while continuing to receive motivation.
Each session ended with stretching to help keep the muscles in good working order. It truly is a life changing experience and you get healthier in the process.
I completed the program in March. I decided very early on that once completed, I would become an official member of the Y so I could continue to meet each week with the very people that have helped to change my life for the better.
~ Plano Family YMCA member
LIVESTRONG at the Y added by Editor on
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