FREE Exercise Program for New York Cancer Patients and Survivors

 

In 2009 the American College of Sports Medicine formed a panel of researchers to develop exercise guidelines for cancer patients and survivors.

At the time, doctors were telling their cancer patients to avoid exercise but the panel found that physical activity "is safe during and after cancer treatments and results in improvements in physical functioning, quality of life, and cancer-related fatigue in several cancer survivor groups."

Strength for Life, based in New York, is working to spread this news and make fitness programs accessible to cancer patients and survivors "regardless of location and financial limitations."

The Girl With the Breast Cancer Tattoo

Last month I learned that an organization called Personal Ink (P.INK) was organizing an event to provide 10 breast cancer survivors with tattoos to cover or enhance their mastectomy scars. 

Now, I had spent the past 3 years considering getting a mastectomy tattoo to encapsulate and honor all that my husband and I had gone through during my breast cancer journey. I wanted to have something I could keep with me forever to remind me of not only the bad things but also all the good things that came of our experience. I had gotten the idea from a book I read (and re-read) before each of my two surgeries. My doctor had offered nipple reconstruction (creating a nipple out of the skin on the breast area) and/or nipple tattooing (coloring the area with permanent ink to create the appearance of a nipple). This just did not resonate with me. But when I read Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy by Geralyn Lucas, I felt I understood her decision when, at the end of the memoir, Geralyn got a tattoo near her mastectomy scar.

P.INK DAY would take place in Brooklyn, New York (where I live) on October 21, 2013 -- 3 years to the day my doctor called to confirm that cancerous cells had been found in my breast tissue. Just days before learning of the event I was thinking this month felt right for getting my tattoo. The whole thing sounded too good to be true. If it was true, it was meant to be.

New York Cancer Events, Support Groups & More

One of the reasons I started this blog (besides keeping my family posted) was to have a place to collect all the super helpful cancer resources I come across and this month, I've got some really great stuff for you!

There are a couple conferences I want to share, a couple support groups, and I've added a couple new websites to the resource list (in the right frame). The conferences & support groups take place in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Long Island..and they are coming up soon, so act fast!

My New Position with Young Survival Coalition

 Hi everyone,

Some great new updates:

1. I have a beautiful new nutrition & fitness website at www.pieceocakenutrition.com

2. I have started teaching Zumba classes and will be holding an event next month, Friday August 9 @ 7P and Sunday August 11 @ 11A, at 440 Studios, 440 Lafayette, near Astor Place (in Manhattan). Only $10 per class or $18 for both. We are going to have so much fun! No previous Zumba or dance experienced required to have fun at this dance fitness party! Details & RSVP form can be found here: http://www.pieceocakenutrition.com/zumba.html

3. Last but not least, I have an exciting announcement about my volunteer work with the Young Survival Coalition...

Myself as Guest Blogger

Friends & Family,

Another few months have passed, it is now winter, I am officially a Registered Dietitian and things are going well. I recently went for some more routine follow-up exams and received the "all clear" from my doctors. Career-wise, I am moving in exactly the right direction: doing consulting, writing, speaking engagements, etc. I've been keeping myself visible on the social network scene with my blog, Piece o' Cake and all its related social network sites (Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest). Just recently I published a post about some great articles I found on Today's Dietitian concerning nutrition and breast cancer. I also mentioned in the post that I have started volunteering with the Young Survival Coalition's Adopt A Hospital program. I get hospitals and doctor's offices to agree to let me bring them brochures and DVDs about the YSC every couple months. It's great because it is a natural extension of something I do all the time anyway: promote the organization that made such an impact on my life during my treatment and since!

So, for my latest update to this blog I thought I'd share that Piece o' Cake blog post with you. Enjoy and please share!

Love, Diane

Breast Cancer: Nutrition & Resources - Piece o' Cake, January 28, 2013