Exercise and camaraderie go hand in hand in Exercise and camaraderie go hand in hand in the Cook Cancer Wellness Program
āIām not a gym person,ā admits Judy Miller. But working out at the Community Cancer Center gym has helped Miller grow stronger in body, mind and spirit.
āExercise empowers cancer patients.ā
Explains Cancer Exercise Specialist Matt Schmitz. āItās something they can do for themselves. It can help with side effects. And thereās a social aspect thatās very important, too.ā Thatās why Schmitz calls the Community Cancer Centerās wellness programs āsupport groups that move.ā
In Judy Millerās case, exercise was never part of her daily routine. She says, āI was concerned by my lack of physical fitness, but I wasnāt concerned enough to do anything about it.ā
Then came Millerās 2013 breast cancer diagnosis. After surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, Miller began exercising regularly during open gym time at the Community Cancer Center. She quickly discovered a camaraderie she did not expect. For Miller, who had moved to the Cedar Rapids area shortly before her diagnosis, other cancer survivors she met during open gym and Tai Chi classes at the Community Cancer Center became a source of friendship and support.
āWeāve all been through similar experiences,ā explains Miller. āThe first time you meet someone, you already know them in a way.ā Miller, who was struggling with memory issuesāa side effect of chemotherapyāmade a point of introducing herself to everyone and remembering names. Today she feels mentally sharper and adds, āI have a much better outlook about my health.ā
Barbara Berquam and her husband, Jim, are regulars during open gym time, too. Barbara has battled breast cancer and melanoma, while Jim is both a caregiver and a prostate cancer survivor. The Berquams like getting to know people who have gone through similar challenges. āItās good to see friendly faces when you come to exercise,ā says Barbara. āAnd Matt is there to answer questions and help you when you need it.ā
Judy Miller agrees, calling Schmitz āan amazing person.ā Miller adds, āMatt doesnāt believe in no pain, no gain. Heās sensitive to the needs of someone who may be struggling because of their illness or the effects of treatment. He genuinely cares about how to get you in a better place, physically and emotionally.ā
The Berquams love the Community Cancer Centerās wellness facility and its convenient location. Says Barbara, āThe doctors we see are in the same building, so we get our medical care and exercise in one place. Thereās covered parking, too, so youāre protected from the snow and rain.ā
Another great aspect? The gym and most of the wellness programs are free for cancer patients, their family members, caregivers and to any cancer survivor regardless of where you received treatment or care.
āAll of our wellness programs, from the open gym to our classes and integrative therapies, are designed to benefit cancer patients and their support team members physically, mentally and emotionally,ā says Schmitz. āOur goal is to help you move beyond cancer with wellness for life.ā