Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Oct 2009: Feature

Breast cancer touches the lives of nearly everyone. This fact has inspired people from all walks of life to give their time and resources to support patients, to educate the public about the importance of early detection and to find a cure. In this issue we are highlighting a few individuals in the local area who make a difference in the world of breast cancer.

After completing active treatment for breast cancer, it is not uncommon for survivors to ask themselves: How can I move forward out of this darkness of fear? How can I be a light for others? Nearly 10 years ago three local women met to talk about one disease that changed their lives forever: breast cancer. By the end of the conversation, they made it their purpose that no woman had to face breast cancer alone. Janet Ely, Sara Plant and Ronda Goodier started a group in their living rooms to share the support and information they craved.

The name of the group became Survivors Offering Support (S.O.S.). Unfortunately, Ronda lost her battle to cancer in May 2005. Today, the group continues with a membership roster of approximately 30 ladies in all stages of recovery —from the newly diagnosed woman to the 15-year survivor. The group has monthly meetings featuring speakers such as a surgeon who spoke about the laboratory genetic testing of the tumor as a predictor of

recurrence; a clinical psychologist who addressed concerns about the fear of recurrence; and a massage therapist who spoke about lymphedema, a frequent side effect of lymph node removal.

This peer group also tries to meet the emotional needs of survivors by having “sharing and caring” meetings where attendees can create a network of newfound friends. Merely listening to others talk about their cancer experience can be instructive and inspiring. There isn ’t one emotion or feeling that others in the group have not already experienced. Annually, the group honors 5-year, 10-year and 15-year survivors with a special commemorative bracelet at a “survivors’ party.” Valentine’s Day has been used as a program opportunity to honor the special person in the survivor ’s life.

Warrior Survivors

Boom! Boom! Boom! Drumbeats carry across the Fluor Daniel pond in Sugar Land as the “Pink Phurree,” a dragon boat team sponsored by Dr. Yang and BayShore Medical Center, practices for a special race for breast cancer survivors. Adorned with a dragon head and tail, the 41-foot-long canoe carries a drummer, whose pounding cadence urges the craft ’s 20 paddlers down the 500-meter course. A decade ago, a Canadian surgeon urged his breast cancer patients to become physically active to regain range of motion after surgery. Thus, this was the genesis of dragon boat racing.

Teams of breast cancer survivors compete worldwide in regattas. Two local racing participants and members of S.O.S. are Rosemary Herron and Emily Snyder. Rosemary also volunteers at M.D. Anderson in the Breast Center and is on the education board for the organization, Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She is committee chairwoman for M.D. Anderson ’s annual cancer conference and a member of SHARE (Supporting Hope, Awareness, Respect and Empowerment), which is a networking organization for breast cancer support groups in the Houston area.

Not only did Janet Ely assist in the founding of the peer support group, S.O.S., but she also continues to raise monies toward a cure for breast cancer, in spite of her current battle with a Stage IV recurrence. In August, “Love for the Cure,” the sixth annual Janet Ely tennis tournament, silent auction and poker tournament netted more than $19,000 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation – Houston affiliate. Traditionally, the tournament is held in October, but because of the discovery of Janet ’s recurrence, her friends rallied around her and planned the event in just two weeks for an August debut.

Her friendships play an important role in her life. When Janet was first diagnosed with breast cancer, her girlfriends made and sold the “Janet Bracelet” on the Internet. Proceeds from bracelet sales as well as the annual tennis tournaments have amounted to more than $100,000 in donations for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Speaking of strong bonds of friendship, Ron Goodier, Ronda’s surviving spouse, has been helpful and supportive of Janet’s fundraising efforts in the local community.

Michelle Amos, another S.O.S. member, volunteers for the Young Survival Coalition by heading up the position of event chair

and is also this year’s co-chairman for the “In Living Pink” gala set for Oct. 24. The Houston YSC works in the community to support and improve the lives of young women with breast cancer to help ensure a better future for the young women who may one day be diagnosed. Go to www.Youngsurvival.org/Houston for more information.

Josie Sethi was diagnosed in 2003 with a rare advanced form of lobular breast cancer and underwent aggressive treatment on the east coast with unsuccessful results. By 2004, she and her husband relocated to Houston for additional treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where they saved her life. In 2006, the cancer had returned, resulting in a bilateral mastectomy and additional chemotherapy. During this time she conceived the idea of putting together a book about the unbeatable spirit of breast cancer survivors, including the women of S.O.S. The book, The Faces behind Breast Cancer, (available on Amazon.com) is an artistic pictorial depicting the courage, strength and dignity of breast cancer patients during all stages of treatment, recovery and remission. The proceeds from sales benefit the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

While Josie now resides in California, she still has one foot firmly planted in Texas, and volunteers her time with local and national organizations, support groups and charitable events. She also travels the country as a motivational speaker, offering hope and inspiration to cancer patients and their loved ones. Josie has a blog spot devoted to the cancer community: ( pinkcrusader.-blogspot.com and a Web site at www.pinkcrusader.org.

Pilates and Breast Cancer:

“Rebuilding the Foundation”

– and all the while giving back to the community

Local breast cancer survivors have discovered the Pilates mat classes offered by certified instructor Beth Posa, who designed a class for breast cancer survivors called “Fight Like a Girl.” Pilates is a gentle restorative exercise regimen perfectly suited for women as they recover and work to rebuild their bodies. Some of the benefits of Pilates for breast cancer survivors include: improvement of shoulder girdle mechanics, enhancement of core strength and endurance, and improvement in overall range of motion, flexibility and strength. Beth ’s mat classes are very affordable to breast cancer
survivors. The class meets every Thursday at 7 p.m. at her Pilates studio located at 4799 Lexington Blvd. See Newstrengthpilates.com for more information or call 281-216-6726.

To paraphrase the Apostle Paul, he said that suffering produces endurance; endurance produces character; and character produces hope. When someone has suffered a great deal and manages to emerge with their strength and hope intact, they can be of tremendous assistance to each other. Hope is often the most important gift one can impart to each other, as witnessed on a monthly basis at the S.O.S. gatherings.

To attend a meeting is to see hope in action. For additional information concerning S.O.S. meeting times and dates, contact Rosemary Herron at 281-242-0351.