August 14, 2002

'It is healing just to be here'

Casting For Recovery holds fly fishing retreat on Boardman River

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
       In a field of flying fishing lines, 14 women built bonds, forged a future and found hope this weekend.
      Attending a Casting for Recovery retreat at the Whispering Waters Bed and Breakfast, these breast cancer survivors learned the basics of fly fishing while immersing themselves in the fundamentals of life: love, laughter and learning.
      As they practiced the intricacies of shooting line, stripping, drying flies and false casting, the women took another step in rebuilding their lives after their battle with breast cancer and its treatments.
      "It is healing just to be here," said Natalie, a West Bloomfield resident and a breast cancer survivor. "It is great to be in the company of women who can understand."
      Calling herself an adventurer, Natalie said her cancer forced a two-year hiatus from her life as she struggled with chemo, a lumpectomy, a mastectomy, more chemo and then radiation. Natalie lost her hair two times in 12 months and has spent more than a year regaining her strength after her treatments.
      When she saw an item about this retreat in a cancer newsletter earlier this year, she quickly called for information. She discovered that because Casting for Recovery is offered free to breast cancer survivors, space is limited. For the Traverse City retreat, the Boston-based organization told Natalie she was the 28th person to sign up for 14 slots.
      When demand exceeds supply - as it usually does for their retreats- the organization uses a lottery selection process to determine who may attend. Natalie is grateful she was lucky enough to be selected.
      "Part of deciding to do this is that I've been getting my strength back and I wanted to try having a new adventure," said Natalie, who discovered the lump during a self-exam, just six months after having a mammogram. "If I get to be good at this, maybe my sons will take me fly fishing."
      Casting for Recovery began in 1996 when Gwenn Perkins, a fly fishing instructor, and Dr. Benita Walton, a physician who works in breast reconstructive surgery, treatment and recovery joined forces. They believed that the physical and spiritual components of fly-fishing could help women with breast cancer.
      Physically, the gentle, repetitive arm motions of fly fishing help to promote strength, flexibility and healing in joints and soft tissue affected by cancer surgeries or treatments.
      "You go through pain and scar tissue builds up," said Eileen of Muskegon, whose cancer prompted a modified radical mastectomy, chemo and radiation. "This kind of exercise makes you go through the motions needed to break the cording up. Plus, it is pleasurable, you're on a river, outdoors."
      Spiritually, a new activity to learn and master, one done outdoors in a peaceful setting on a river, also helps promote healing of both the body and mind. The very act of learning a new skill can renew hope for these women, give then a commitment to their future.
      The retreats also help dispel the isolation and loneliness that many women with breast cancer often feel.
      "It's the first time I have been with other people with breast cancer," said Pat of Ann Arbor, who completed treatment for her cancer last October. "I have felt so isolated and now I have something more in common with these women, that feels good."
      "I shared a ride up here with someone and I just felt at home right away," she added.
      The women ranged in age from 36-72 and came from all walks of life. Despite the many differences, the weekend was about the similar path the women have all walked since the day of their diagnosis.
      "We're all different, all unique and from different places but we've all been through similar experiences," said Eileen. "It is kind of like going through a war together, this is something that bonds because you don't just have one surgery and be done, there is ongoing treatment."
      Casting for Recovery retreat staff includes trained facilitators, including a mental health professional and a health care professional, plus four trained fly fishing instructors. Community volunteers also help during the two and a half days.
      Fly fishing instructor Jody Viscont led this retreat, one of two she conducts per year. Saturday morning she introduced the basics of the sport and in the afternoon she worked with her students on the subtle aspects of casting and catching. Sunday morning everyone ventured into the Boardman River to try their hand.
      Viscont has been with the organization since 1996, when she joined at the behest of co-founder Perkins, a fellow fly fishing instructor. The five days a year Viscont spends with breast cancer survivors always leave their mark.
      "I learn about life from these women, a real appreciation of life, and I've grown so much because of them," said Viscont, who previously taught with Orvis and had always preferred teaching women's classes. "It is very rewarding to share my love of fly fishing and my love of the outdoors with these women."
      For more information on the Casting for Recover program or other retreats, contact the organization at 888-553-3500 or e-mail cfrprogram@aol.com. The mailing address is PMB 257, 946 Great Plain Avenue, Needham, MA 02492.