Over the past few years, my husband and I have been learning to live with his diagnosed Parkinson’s and dementia. We were doing okay and then, in October of 2021, I was diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer that was also in the lymph glands. As you can imagine, this changed our lives quite a bit. Testing, biopsies, chemo, surgery, radiation, more chemo and anti-hormone medications slowed me down and I was frustrated with what I could not do for myself and for my husband. Friends and family were wonderfully helpful and supportive, but they couldn’t fully understand what we were living daily.
I had been a “gym rat” my whole life and was shocked by my muscle atrophy, poor stamina, extreme fatigue, joint pain and neuropathy in my hands and feet. I tried to stay active, but any exercise I did on my own just made me feel worse and more fatigued. At my lowest point mentally, I was introduced to Unite For Her and Stronger Through Cancer. Life changers! Finally, I could move and exercise safely and in a way that helped me so much. With Priscilla’s incredible knowledge, experience, compassion and laughter I started to feel more like myself. I look forward to the classes and love that, If I can’t attend a live class, I can do a recorded class at my convenience. Since joining the classes, I am more flexible, have less joint pain, sleep better and have less fatigue. Priscilla has also given me great tips to help with neuropathy and she has modified some of the moves to accommodate my issues. She really cares about every class member.
In addition to feeling better physically, my mental health has improved dramatically thanks to Priscilla and all the wonderful women in the classes. Everyone is so supportive, helpful, positive, filled with hope and joy, and real concern. I rely on these fabulous women because they truly “get it”. There are days I don’t feel like exercising, but I log on to a class to see the members of my new “sisterhood” and they motivate me to keep moving. I hope that someday I will get to meet these new friends and celebrate our journey in person.
Thank you to everyone involved with Unite for Her and Stronger Through Cancer. You will never completely know how you have impacted my life and the lives of many others. You are all a blessing.
— Kathleen, Breast Cancer