Tracy Loewen

It's that time to strap on my hiking boots...

Once again, this September, I will be lacing up my hikers (or slipping on my sandals) to help raise funds for Wellspring – an organization that provides no cost services for cancer patients. Over the years I have participated in various programs including music therapy, art therapy, and workshops on dealing with issues like nutrition, brain fog, and returning to work.

One of my medication side effects that really bothers me is weight gain. After having a hysterectomy, I was grateful to finally be off the hormone treatment that caused the scale numbers to rise. Off the meds, I went underweight while still eating the same diet. The new cancer hormone meds solved that problem, but, unfortunately, put my weight right back to what it was pre-surgery.

When I’m annoyed or feeling uncomfortable in my skin, I must remember the words of a very wise friend, “You are active and able. THAT’s what matters. You can go on long hikes and have adventures. Not everyone can do that.”

While I do walk a lot, because of the treatments that I’m on, I knew I needed to add other weight-bearing and resistance exercises to ensure my bones stay healthy, especially since my cancer has spread to them.

So, this year, I joined some of Wellspring’s exercise programs to help me attain this goal. While they do have many in-person classes, I choose online ones as they best fit with my schedule. Two days a week, I join a class, along with people from all over the country, led by two physiotherapists. They lead a range of exercises that target the whole body and provide various modifications so that all levels of abilities can participate. As the focus is on patients with cancer, they avoid certain exercises that can be detrimental for bone mets (spinal twisting and high impact jumping).

To ensure that others have the same opportunities and supports that I have, I have set a lofty fundraising goal for this year. If you are unable to support financially, please tell those who could benefit from Wellspring’s programs. With a plethora of programs online, people no longer need to live close to a physical location to receive support. Doctor’s

Thank for your support over the years – not just for my fundraising efforts – but also for the encouragement, emotional support, practical support, and most of all your prayers. I would not be doing so well 6 years after my diagnosis without them.