Testimonials

The UW WELL-FIT program has a wide variety of participants, each of which express a great appreciation for their ability to be involved in such a program. Below are a few letters of testimony about the program from the participant's perspective. These participants thought it was important to give testimony to the positive effects the UW WELL-FIT program has had on them throughout their cancer treatment.

Peggy Simon

UW WELL-FIT Participant: 2011

Navigating through the medical vortex of cancer was crazy but my number one goal was to stay focused on a positive outcome. From my first call to UW WELL-FIT, I knew I was in excellent hands.

Worn out from abdominal surgery, chemotherapy, and the whole business of cancer, my fitness level was low but with each workout I found myself gaining greater strength, flexibility, stamina, and energy. I began to feel like myself again but now I was a much stronger version. The staff at UW WELL-FIT empowered me to work toward greater health and wellness, even in the face of cancer.

I have recently returned to work and am very grateful this program was available to me at the most challenging time of my life. UW WELL-FIT has played an instrumental role in helping me get back into the ebb and flow of “normal” life again. I count this among the multitude of gifts I have received since being diagnosed with cancer.

Bob McMullen

UW WELL-FIT Participant: 2011

“Bob, the x-ray of your neck shows lytik lesions. You have bone cancer.” Those two sentences spoken by my physician led to almost 2 weeks of personal despair, anxiety and depression. Instead of leaving for a cruise in 3 days, a pinched nerve problem had uncovered a form of cancer known as multiple myeloma.

Upon treatment, I experienced a 7 week outbreak of shingles on my neck, back and shoulder. In addition to the continuing nerve damage, the inactivity caused by the sheer pain of shingles led to a serious loss of muscle strength and stamina. Multiple myeloma itself causes a weakening of muscle strength and the primary chemo drug, Velcade, has a side effect of reducing both strength and stamina. This resulted in a reduced ‘quality of life’ that would not return until I enrolled in the UW WELL-FIT program.

Simply stated, participation in the UW WELL-FIT program has restored the ‘quality of life’ factor in my daily life. My improved life is based on a simple concept: EXERCISE. Probably hard to believe that a carefully structured exercise program is the key ingredient in what is basically a mind-body recovery. I now understand and appreciate the crucial impact of the exercise regimes developed for Bob’s 70 year old illness-wracked body. Those exercise programs are the single, secret ingredient in the return of my quality of life. Before enrolling in UW WELL-FIT, I could not walk up stairs without using a railing for support and leverage. A simple walk around the block was impossible on some days and always seemed like a marathon. Of course, wobbly Bob could not ride his bike – the ultimate personal curse of this illness. Well, I now ride my bike at least 12 km without problems, can climb stairs easily (even carrying things) and can walk uptown with my wife without having to use a cane or sit on a bench every two blocks.

What is UW WELL-FIT? It started with an assessment of my physical status that was used to devise a series of exercises tailored to my abilities and needs. UW WELL-FIT is staffed by professionals who, in addition to the basic program, also provide continuous support and encouragement. At UW WELL-FIT, you are never alone! And finally, UW WELL-FIT offered me the opportunity to socialize with other cancer patients during the session. Exercise is the foundation of my mind-body recovery and there are probably physical measures that could show the link but I don’t care because each day I feel and live the recovery.

Beth Brown

UW WELL-FIT Participant: 2002

To Whom It May Concern:

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2001 at age 53, little did I realize that three years later after undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, more surgery and then radiation, I would be in such good physical shape that I would participate happily and energetically in the 6 km 2004 CIBC Run for the Cure. The WELL-FIT program at the University of Waterloo and its founders Caryl Russell, Mike Sharratt and Lori Kraemer as well as determination and hard work on my part enabled me to accomplish this goal.

Unbelievably to me, the recommendation of the WELL-FIT Team was that I start the WELL-FIT program during the time I was receiving chemotherapy. I dragged myself there twice a week, so tired, sore and sometimes nauseated. Caryl and Lori expertly and patiently led us through the caridovascular and strength training exercises. Each day the tiredness, the soreness, and nausea disappeared for a while. Each day I felt stronger. I began to look forward to the class- to exercising, celebrating our success and supporting each other when bad things happened. The stoic determination of the many people in the class who have become my friends and with whom I share this serious disease has inspired me to do everything I can to keep this terrible disease at bay.

Two years after finishing radiation therapy I still look forward to these classes at the "Graduate" level. I have never felt more fit- I particpated in that Run for the Cure after all! The support I have received physically and emotionally through this class has been second to none. I am so happy that I dragged myself to that first class, wondering what good this exercise would do me!

I was charter member of the UW WELL-FIT program. Our first class had fewer than six participants. The continued growth of the program is firm evidence of its importance to cancer patients in Waterloo Region.

Sincerely,

Beth Brown