"On My Way Here" - Retreat

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Rague
Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
edited October 2011 in Breast Cancer #1
That was the theme for the Fall Women's Retreat this year.

It was great as usual.

Got to the Sweat and it was cold, windy and cloudy outside (high 30's) so we stood around the fire pit for the warmth (note to self don't stand in front of the fire in only heavy coat you take unless you want to smell like a forest fire when wearing it later). The wind was whipping the flag and the POW-MIA flag. The sun came out, the wind stopped and it was probably in the 50's by the end of it. Weather stayed quite decent for the rest of the Retreat.

I went on my longest/fastest 'hike' I've been on in quite a while. My 'shower mate' (our rooms are in the BOQ so there is a shared shower/toilet for each 2 rooms) had lost her room key 'somewhere' so on one of our breaks she and I took off walking to the BOQ to go in through my room to see if she'd left it in her room - wasn't there. She's a LOT younger than I am but I was able to keep up with her on the almost mile round trip 'hike'. There were vans to take us back and forth for meals and at night. What was really strange though was as we were walking over to the BOQ she said "You like tulips". UH - yeah I LOVE tulips but nothing had been said about that there and I'd never met her before the start.

These Retreats are done at Ft. Meade VA, Sturgis, SD. As far as is known the only ones done through VA. They are totally privately funded - primary funder is DAV. It is done on VA grounds but not funded by them. If there is anyone wanting info about PTSD - PM me - I have sites I can give you with a lot of really good info for the person suffereing or for family members of one who is. PTSD is very real and is not what some think exclusive to combat issues - anyone can be affected - cancer DX certainly can.

Again - I had a fantastic time once more and am looking forward to the next one in 6 mths.

Susan

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  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #2
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    Good to hear about your good
    Good to hear about your good time, Rague. There is a bonding that happens in a sweat which is unique and deep. xoxoxo Lynn
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #3
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    lynn1950 said:

    Good to hear about your good
    Good to hear about your good time, Rague. There is a bonding that happens in a sweat which is unique and deep. xoxoxo Lynn

    Sweats are very special. We
    Sweats are very special. We are given the option to do the Sweat or not before the Retreat starts. For me, it is the way that I take myself to the best place I can to start the Retreats. I also occasionally go out to the Rez for 'private' ones.

    Susan
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #4
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    Rague said:

    Sweats are very special. We
    Sweats are very special. We are given the option to do the Sweat or not before the Retreat starts. For me, it is the way that I take myself to the best place I can to start the Retreats. I also occasionally go out to the Rez for 'private' ones.

    Susan

    Sounds wonderful!
    Susan...so glad you had such a wonderful time...in spite of a coat smelling like a forest fire.....I laughed so hard at that! I'm always looking for a good laugh...so thank you! It all sounds so peaceful.....hope you feel rested and renewed....

    Hugs, Nancy
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #5
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    That was a great post. Glad
    That was a great post. Glad you are sharing your retreat experiences and thank you for bringing up PTSD and the fact a cancer dx can cause it. Wonderful you are getting so much out of the retreats and even more wonderful that they are available to you.
    jan

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