Reeling and Healing Midwest Blog

A great article about Reeling & Healing Midwest recently appeared in the July / August 2007 issue of Michigan Trout Magazine published by Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited. You can download a PDF of the article here.

When a person is diagnosed with cancer you never truly know how they feel until you have walked in their shoes. Sometimes we try so hard to be strong. We don’t want others to see how weak we really are.

We don’t want to be a burden. But those who love you want to do anything they can to help you. Please let them show you how much you are loved. Your whole life changes in many different ways. The one thing to remember is to take “One day at a time!”

You are never alone through this battle. God is with you every step of the way.

-Kim O.

I want to thank everyone for a wonderful time and a beautiful experience that I will always and forever cherish. Everyone touched my heart in a way that words alone cannot express except one thing comes to mind, that through our bond I feel as though we have moved mountains. I feel so empowered that I want to shout to all I see, “WE ARE WOMEN, HEAR US ROAR!”�� Caveman chant follows, “ARRGH ARRGH ARRGH!”�� It was fabulous.

-Kari B.

Our third men���s retreat went off without
a hitch at Gates Lodge July. There were participants and volunteers from all over the State of Michigan. We were blessed with some wonderful weather and many trout were caught as well.Once again, Coy & Tim from Reel Recovery travel from Colorado to facilitate the retreat. And ���Spoon��� was there with his digital camera capturing EVERY moment possible to document the retreat for the survivors who had traveled up to Grayling to enjoy some time on the famed Au Sable.

From entomology, heron watching and telling kayakers that they were three miles from the landing to making new friends, learning to cast a fly rod and sharing joy and pains of our journeys, it was a memorable time for all. Even the Bread Hole was amazing.

It was my third year of assisting at the retreat. And though the program remains the same, the retreat, because of the men who attend, is always different.

This year was very different for me due to the fact that my father had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer. At my request, my father had taken time off from his busy work scheduled and volunteered at the 2005 & 2006 men’s retreats as a River Buddy/Guide. This year he called me to ask if he could volunteer again on the river. His mission: to not only help others, but share his new diagnosis, compare notes from a different perspective and to give/receive support from a different level than he had ever anticipated.

Needless-to-say, the process of watching my father share with the participants and volunteers was heartwarming. I am thankful to all who reached out to support him, offered their good words, wisdom and prayers. And for their hugs as well.

Of all my treasured memories from my time at the retreat, I am thankful for the laughter shared with “Bob with One O” on the river dock on our final day. Though we hardly fished, we laughed and told stories that had our sides aching. Doing that together, surrounded by nature and sunshine, hearing the echoes of the laughter - nothing but joy. It felt grand to have the weight of the unknown lifted from shoulders and hearts.

And to my dear roommate, Nurse Navin…I commend you on your stellar perfection Loops, Double-Surgeon Knots and Nail Knots. Our leaders rocked!

In closing, I extend the Reel Recovery blessing to all…

BE WELL, FISH ON!

WHAT: ONE DAY FLY FISHING RETREAT

WHEN: July 21st Reunion Retreat - 8:00 am until 6:00 pm

WHERE: PERE MARQUETTE RIVER - Baldwin & Branch, MI

HOSTS: Reeling & Healing Midwest and The Pere Marquette River Lodge

DETAILS: Join Reeling & Healing Midwest, The Pere Marquette River Lodge and our good friends from Reel Recovery to celebrate a day of trout fishing on the beautiful waters of the Pere Marquette River. Individuals who have taken part in any fly fishing retreat programs for cancer survivors as a participant, volunteer or supporter are encouraged to attend. SPECIAL NOTE: This year, survivors are encouraged to bring their caregiver or personal supporter along to enjoy the day as well.

Our friends and certified river guides at The Pere Marquette River Lodge have arranged to provide river float trips and guiding expertise for the day. Those attending will have the opportunity to wade fish and/or enjoy a float down the river. A hearty continental breakfast, shore lunch, beverages and munchies will be served. Fishing equipment and waders will be available for use too.

COST: $40.00 for the day (includes breakfast, lunch, beverages, equipment, float trips and guides). Dinner is optional for an additional $15.00 and will be served at the lodge.

Click here to view a schedule of events for the day.

What to bring? You will need a fishing license. It may be purchased at the lodge. Click here for a suggested list of items to bring as well as more license info.

To register or for more information, phone 616-855-4017 or email info@ReelingandHealingMidwest.org.

Fish On!

THIRTY-EIGHT FISH AND COUNTING

Well, I believe if we had taken an exit poll, everyone would have voted to fish more in the spring time with the beautiful weather we enjoyed, to fish on the North Branch of the Au Sable (easy wading and little traffic) and to visit Arnie & Aggie again and again. Was that a wonderful weekend or what? I’m still feeling blessed.
Where do you begin when you think back to that May weekend? The beautiful, historical stretch of river, the wildlife that surrounded us, the four-wheeler tours through the woods, the camaraderie, the terrific fishing, the meals & snacks galore, the calm comfort and giving nature of our hosts Aggie and Arnie or the power struggle for a fishing vest or blue shirt or a fishing shirt (Carrie may have worn that vest to bed along with a smile on her face)?

Was it the quiet time you had in the river - sunshine on your face, gentle breeze and good casts? Or was it the potential wading snafu, remembering how to make a clinch knot, deciding which fly to use, seeing old faces and friends, or getting in touch with your creative side by whipping a bird’s nest into your leader? Did you take time out to laugh, “get out of your box” and meet someone new? Did you tell a story, reach out and listen to others, or take a quiet moment to be grateful? I think we did all that and then some.

A big THANK YOU to Aggie & Arnie for opening up their hearts and river home to us - especially knowing that Aggie was recovering from shoulder surgery. I can’t wait to see her this summer and give her a huge hug of thanks that doesn’t cause her any pain. The two of them, along with the “boys” were wonderful.

A special note of thanks to Ruthanne. Her assistance with organizing the retreat certainly ensured that the retreat ran smoothly. I’d like to reach out and thank other volunteers who traveled to Lovells to help us out - Bob & Kathy Carey, Amy Adams, and Sue & John Walters.

I’m still having flashbacks of all the food that made it’s way into the river house.
Thanks to everyone who stopped and picked up portions of our grocery list and to everyone else that brought along goodies, baked cookies, and special indulgements. Abiding by Arnie’s rule that everything we brought must make it’s way home, I did my best to leave a few “surprise” in your coolers or cars or coat pockets (yes, I’m the one that did it).

Oh, we can’t forget the potato flinging slingshot. I don’t know if you took a step back and observe how everyone became a wee bit competitive with those distance shots. But, there was some major determination occurring. The photos tell stories for sure. And what did work better? One potato or two? Can you believe we were able to shoot potatoes past that little island upstream?

Having mentioned photos, I received some from Aggie, Carole, Mary and Lori. Thank you ladies! A few are in this email note, some have been placed on the Gallery page of the website and I’ve uploaded a portion of them to a Flickr account so you can log-in and download your favorite or order prints. The link to the Flickr account is located at the end of this email.

Thank you for your participation, enthusiasm and courage to go somewhere new and learn more about fly fishing. Thank you all for your loving, giving spirits. You continue to inspire me to provide more retreat opportunities and enjoy all that life has to offer. It was an honor to share the river with you once more. I look forward to doing it again and again.

Here���s to renewed spirit and renewed hope.

FISH ON!

Cathy Sero

Special Notes: Check out photos on our website’s Gallery Page. Photos on Flickr for the May 2007 Retreat can be viewed here.

CLICK TO VIEW ARTICLE

Thanks to Nursing Spectrum Magazine and Catherine Spader for writing a great article. Many thanks to Kathryn Navin and Amy Adams for being interviewed and telling their stories.

Every time someone passes along their experiences and stories about Reeling & Healing Midwest, we get stronger. It helps expose new people to the great work our community provides for Survivors and their support networks.

Fish On!

Knitters…….are you up for a challenge?!

Are your family and friends begging you not to send them any more home made items? Are you working on projects that take forever to complete? Are you looking for a way to support other women? Do I have a plan for you.

Get out your needles and start knitting socks. Remember how fast and easy it is to knit a pair of socks? A home made pair of socks say, you are cared about, you deserve some nurturing, you matter. If you are reading this blog, you are already aware of the amazing job Reeling & Healing Midwest does for cancer survivors. I am a cancer survivor and was an honored guest at a weekend event. The fliers suggest that you bring warm socks to use in the waders. I did not see many warm socks. Now it is up to us, the knitters of the world, to make sure these men and women have warm socks. Socks not just for fly-fishing, but for wearing during a long chemo session. Socks for wearing when you find yourself pounds thinner, with no hair (anywhere) for insulation. If everyone who knits just sends one pair of socks, imagine how many women and men we can make feel all snuggly and warm. Pass this message on. Email this address for mailing information: kltooman@chartermi.net.

I will keep you posted as the socks come mailing in. Together we can end the suffering of the naked toes of cancer survivors.

Socks on! Kathy