Living and thriving with the big “C”

I grew up in San Luis Obispo. It was an idyllic and active childhood thanks to my amazing parents. I was one of those kids whose parents would literally tell me go outside and play until dinner. This resulted in frequent tromps all around Bishop Peak where I invariably got muddy at the pond. It also included daily trips to the SLO Swim Center for swim practice. The smell of chlorine wafting over the pool on a summer morning makes me want to dive in and crank out a few 1000 meters (time has allowed me to romanticize those killer workouts).

Other days I rode my bike over the Cal Poly; hitting endless tennis balls on the backboard hoping to game some college kids into playing with a kid who ended up pretty good as a result. I stayed active while away for college and grad school – my husband and I have rarely met a sport we don’t like. When we became parents we included our son in our mountain biking, hiking, surfing, and tennis adventures – we like to have fun.

For many years I took my ability to have fun and be active for granted. Given my busy work schedule I often saved my fun for the weekends. That all changed in 2011 and as a result these days I stop and smell the roses.
Though more often than not they are Mariposa Lilies because I love the trails in and around San Luis Obispo and that is one of the spectacular flowers you will see peeking out of our serpentine soils especially out at Froom Ranch.

The reason I actually appreciate the little things in life today, instead of buzzing by it while I force myself to “get in” a workout, is that I am a cancer survivor. I am the member of the Breast Cancer Class of 2011 and Ovarian Close Call 2012. I’m happy to be here and I try and get the most out of each and every day which includes some much appreciated fun. But not everyone who is a cancer survivor has that chance.

So now, that you’ve read the big “C” word a few times you are probably starting to tune out and skim to the bottom – I know, I used to do it too. Blah, blah won’t happen to me. I am too young. I eat well. I am in shape. No one in my family “has” cancer.

Yup I used to say all those things too. But, for us modern peeps the statistics are not in our favor. According to the American Cancer Society, one in two men and one in three women will battle cancer at some time in their lives. Of the women, one in eight will fight breast cancer. Like you, it certainly was never on my “to do” list to join the world’s ranks of cancer fighters.

I have learned many things from my fight with cancer so far. As one would expect, most are emotional in nature. The support that one receives from community is overwhelming in this fight. My gratitude for that is profound. I have been able to cope by keeping my sense of humor and purposefully maintaining a positive attitude.

As I mentioned, I have always been a physically active person. This is a profound benefit to the quality of life one can enjoy no matter your medical history. Having had three major surgeries in the past two years and being a Celiac it hasn’t always been easy. But, I am a stubborn former athlete. I try and walk or hike every day, I ride my bike to work, I get to play tennis with my son and husband. I’ve added yoga to my life gaining flexibility (what a concept), strength, and inner calm.

Unfortunately, many cancer survivors simply don’t have these opportunities. They don’t have the strength after treatment. They might not know what activities could be of benefit to them. They may need a friend or coach to help them.
The Savor Run produced by the Central Coast Cancer Challenge, is a 5K or 10K run (or walk) on Sunday, September 29th. This is a local event dedicated to helping cancer survivors be well.

This year the event exclusively benefits Cancer Well Fit which is an eight week program free to cancer survivors and is geared toward teaching them new fitness skills post cancer. I am not a runner, unless chasing a bright yellow ball with a tennis racquet in hand but this year I am going to do it. I am going to run my first 5K (oh my). I am just starting to train now – think about joining me, it will be fun, we can stop and smell the roses and admire the view. Check it out at centralcoastcancerchallenge.com.

Shelly Stanwyck - is the Director of the City of San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Department.