October 2007 GOal Getter
Goals For Good
Primarily, this is the story of a “goal setter” rather than a goal getter. My personal goal is probably much like yours — that during the lifetime, I can remain physically, emotionally and spiritually “fit” for as long as possible. This became critically important to me when, at the age of 38, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a modified radical mastectomy. That diagnosis was made as the result of a mammogram and because of that, I have encouraged many women to schedule those tests, along with self breast examinations. According to my oncologist, my own cancer would not have been palpable for at least two more years, but because of the mammogram, there was early detection and a much better chance for survival. At the time, I had two young children and was determined to do whatever was necessary to take care of myself so that I cold take care of them and then grow old with my husband. Now I, along with my 84 year-old mother (twice stricken with breast cancer), join the other two million breast cancer survivors in the United States. In a recent guide published by The Patriot News, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 98% when the disease is found at its earliest stage. So, if you get no other message from my article, please don’t put off getting that mammogram!
After the oncologist released me from treatment, I resolved to do two things: support other cancer victims in any way that I could, and to take better care of myself with regard to diet and exercise. I belong to a small local group of volunteers called Hearts N Hands whose mission is to assist cancer patients during their treatments. My little contribution is to transport them to their chemotherapy and doctor appointments and to prepare meals for them on those days. The healing that we pray for during our own illness typically comes from the friends and family around us, so I encourage you to seek me out at Momentum if you or someone you know could use our help; we are only too happy to do so!
Taking care of my own physical health and fitness has been a journey which began with taking aerobics classes through the Hampden Recreation office, then joining a gym across the street from my job at the Department of Education. I could run (literally!) to the gym at lunch time each day, take a step, aerobics or boot-camp class and was energized for the rest of the day. On the day that I retired, I joined Momentum and the journey is getting even better! We do have the best instructors and staff, the best facilities, the best members, and led by Leighann and Joe, the best programs in Central PA. How blessed we are! So, my goals include staying active, strong, agile and healthy, one step (or lift or jab or lunge) at a time any day that I can come. I’ve been pretty competitive and always wanted to be the best in class; now I just want to be the best 65-year Medicare recipient in the class! My final bit of borrowed advice: LOVE LIFE AND DO GOOD!