Few challenges can devastate a life like a cancer diagnosis.
During his years in academic practice at the Medical College of Georgia and the University of Utah, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Renato Saltz, ran breast cancer reconstructive surgery clinics where surgeries were performed using the latest techniques, often with perfect results. Yet, for most of his patients, there was no celebration, no high fives — only a profound sadness. Something was missing.
One of his patients was Pam, a clinical nurse who worked with Dr. Saltz. After spiraling downhill, she attended a fly fishing retreat in Montana for breast cancer survivors. Upon returning, she said, “Renato, I now feel better, and I have learned how to cope with the disease.”
Dr. Saltz explains that “Something happened at that retreat that touched and helped heal Pam’s soul as she was able to bond with other survivors.” He realized there was more than just the medical component to curing cancer — the psychological component was missing and must also be addressed.
In 1998, Dr. Saltz worked with Pam to create the Image Reborn Foundation “to provide no-cost renewal retreats to those diagnosed with breast cancer and support them in living rich and fulfilling lives.’
These three-day retreats, all in beautiful natural settings, address the many issues facing breast cancer survivors, including sexuality, relationships, medical related issues, and financial well-being. But underlying all of these challenges lies the ever-present need for breast cancer survivors to begin a journey toward healing and restoring their lives — the heart of every renewal retreat.
To convey the significance of this journey, we look inside a recent retreat in Park City, Utah, and listen to the voices of a small group of women who attended this life-changing weekend.
The retreat began on a summer evening in a cozy, light-filled home nestled within the majestic mountains and towering pines of the famous resort town. The women had just arrived, bringing with them their unique breast cancer experiences and the hope that they would find a way to reduce their struggles.
There was Angie, a business owner from Montana, whose employees showed up at 7:45 every morning. Her grueling chemotherapy sessions, were torture because she couldn’t find a space or time to heal.
Teresa, who resides in Utah, felt her first diagnosis was a fluke, but when she received her second, she became terrified and began to ruminate on death.
There was Cari, also a Utah native, who was dealing with image and health issues, even though her team of doctors thought everything was going smoothly.
And Andrea, whose packed schedule of family life in Nevada left her with no time for herself, and no one who truly knew the isolation she felt.
And from California came Meera, who, upon receiving diagnosis and treatment, felt the person she was ceased to exist, leaving a huge hole in her soul.
But as the women were warmly welcomed by a volunteer staff who took care of every detail, and served them a freshly prepared dinner by a local chef, they found that simply connecting with others who had many of the same fears and challenges offered a sense of comfort and a quiet anticipation of what lay in store.
For Angie, Qigong, an ancient Chinese healing art, helped give her the room she needed. “Tony (the instructor) introduced the 70% concept, where you give 70% rather than going full throttle all of the time,” she said. “And then keep 30% for yourself. Just the invitation to take the time to listen to [my] body and yourself and ask what you may need instead of always taking care of everyone else meant so much.”
Yoga and massage encouraged Teresa to practice self-compassion and ease her burden. “I got this great sense of being gentle with myself and going at my own pace. And it was nice to be amongst other people who have different levels and challenges. And I felt it’s okay if I don’t want to do all of the movements. And it’s okay if I can only do this much because I was so hard on myself. I have now learned compassion for myself.”
For Andrea, “Even just being in nature, and having new experiences with friends that you just met, made me feel safe and free. We rode the chairlift which is kind of scary as I am not good with heights. But I knew that they were not going to rock that lift! And I am not used to the elevation and was having a hard time. But they kept saying, ‘You can do this!’ That kind of support makes a huge difference.”
On the last morning, Dr. Saltz addressed medical concerns through the ‘Medical Hour,’ offering calm to Cari who realized the health issues she was experiencing were not due to her age, but were actual symptoms of going through breast cancer. Meanwhile, Andrea shared that it was a relief to be around others who simply knew the pain of ‘zaps.’ And all agreed that their time with Dr. Saltz was a gift.
As the retreat came to a close, Meera offered a summation of a journey that had given so much: “I now feel like I have permission to take care of myself and to say, ‘Hey, I need help.’ And to ask for support and receive that support. Most importantly, the validation of not feeling like I am in this alone and not feeling like the things I am experiencing are just me. These ladies and everything we have done this weekend have helped to rebuild a part of me that felt broken. I am now on the road to healing.”
Since 1998, the Image Reborn Foundation has hosted more than 4,000 breast cancer survivors during their three-day, no-cost retreats. The Foundation has now expanded and offers retreats in Park City and St. George, Utah; Denver, Colorado; and Houston, Texas, and will soon offer retreats in South Florida.
You can make a difference for the breast cancer survivors you know by sharing the Image Reborn Foundation’s website, and by attending the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Life Gala at the beautiful Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley, Utah on November 2nd, 2024.
With your help, they can continue to help breast cancer survivors for the next 25 years and beyond.
Feature Image by John Taylor. ‘
