By Caitlin Carmody
Deanna Bush learned she had breast cancer during a busy week of teaching and attending family events. It was during the winter holidays. Many of her doctors had time off, so she was struck with a two-week waiting period before she could understand anything about her diagnosis.
鈥淚t was a hectic week on top of all the holiday events,鈥 she says.
At 52, almost five years later, she is still attending Waterford Place Cancer Resource Center, which she discovered shortly after her diagnosis. She is grateful for its welcoming and kind spirit.
Waterford Place is open to people impacted by a cancer diagnosis. It provides classes, counseling and other services that offer emotional and physical support for those in any stage of treatment as well as survivors and caretakers 鈥 and all at no charge to participants.
Discovering Waterford Place
Deanna learned about the center when she came across a brochure for Waterford Place while waiting for a doctor鈥檚 appointment. It was the last one.
鈥淚f it鈥檚 the only one, I thought maybe I shouldn鈥檛 take it. But I鈥檓 so glad that I did,鈥 she says.
She was immediately intrigued by its offerings and decided to take a tour.
Taking the first step
Upon meeting the staff and speaking with other participants, Deanna felt a new level of comfort.
鈥淲e understand each other at another level, and the community is irreplaceable,鈥 says Deanna.
Since her first step into Waterford Place, Deanna has tried just about every offering and advises others to try it with an open mind.
鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing that I鈥檝e walked away from that wasn鈥檛 a wonderful experience,鈥 Deanna says.
Enduring community
Deanna鈥檚 participation in a support group and art classes has given her new levels of confidence and empowerment through her cancer diagnosis.
By allowing herself to open up to the community that Waterford Place brings, Deanna has found her happy place.
She attends the Soul Tending and Support group and says, 鈥淭hese women are such a support group for the good and the bad, because everyone is at a different point in their diagnosis. It has helped me move forward in my life. This group has helped me through some of the hardest moments and allowed me to see through to the light on the other side.鈥
