Recently, I decided to step outside of my comfort level and venture off on my own to another state to attend a breast cancer survivors retreat. I had not attended any support groups during my treatments and thought it would be interesting to get together with other women who have gone through breast cancer treatment and see how they were handling things on the other side. There are so many questions when you are going through treatments, and just as many when you have completed.
I attended the retreat last weekend. It was put on by the Image Reborn Foundation. They sponsored a weekend getaway in Park City, Utah for eight women to get together and spend a weekend bonding and being completely pampered. I remember prior to the trip feeling a little bit apprehensive about the whole thing. What would it be like? Would it be fun or awkward? It ended up being simply magical and just what I needed. My husband dropped me off at the airport Friday morning and off I went to Utah. Transportation was provided for me from SLC airport to the retreat site. Everything was perfectly organized. I was whisked to the top of the mountain, a ski resort in Park City to the most beautiful home I have ever seen. It was massive (about 20,000 sq. ft, 21 bathrooms, not sure how many bedrooms and every amenity you can imagine). I was the first of the eight women to arrive. I received a tour of the home and was shown to my private bedroom/bathroom and was surprised by an array of gifts left on my bed.
A short while later, the other women began to arrive. Everyone was shown the house and their rooms and we began to congregate in the great room area of the house. It was amazing, but all eight of us instantly bonded and it seemed as though we had been good friends for a very long time. I was surprised at how comfortable and relaxed it all was. There is something about this disease that bonds those of us who were destined to go through it. Although we all were diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, everyone's story was very different. We spent the weekend talking, laughing, eating gourmet meals, doing yoga, getting facials and massages, relaxing in the hot tub and of course, drinking wine in front of the huge fireplace. It was an experience I won't soon forget.
I met some fabulous women. I came away with some new friends that I hope to keep in touch with for many years to come, and one special person in particular that I really connected with and already have plans to attend a thriver's cruise early next year with. The women at the Image Reborn Foundation were the warmest people who made every part of the weekend amazing. No detail was overlooked. And last but not least, I cannot get over the generosity of the lovely family that donated their home to all of us to come and stay for the weekend. The kindness and generosity of people like these never ceases to amaze me.
I came away from the weekend feeling stronger for going out of my comfort zone and doing something different. I feel enriched by the connections that I made and it did me a world of good to get together with others that knew exactly what I had been through and the challenges that we all faced and continue to face together. It was an amazing experience and I am grateful to have been able to be a part of it. Life does go on after cancer and it is a good life indeed.
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