A.W.O.L. (A Way of Life...after diagnosis) is a program specifically designed for women who have or have had breast cancer. The central purpose of A.W.O.L. is to provide each woman with psychotherapeutic services needed to cope with her illness and to improve the quality of her life, which includes an emphasis towards issues of body image that can sometimes be minimized by self, clinicians, family, and even people in the support system due to the life threatening factor of breast cancer. Dealing with these issues is essential to someone whose sense of self is highly based on how she looks on the outside.
As part of A.W.O.L., From Chrysalis to Wings conducts two yearly retreats to help breast cancer survivors tap into their grief and loss as a result of breast cancer diagnosis, the treatment, the loss of a breast and the altered body image. The retreats also give an opportunity to deal with guilt feelings, the anger and the "why me" question and provides an opportunity to express gratitude for their survival, and to remove the stigma of the disease. Retreats are held at a camp where a beautiful nature setting and a loving nurturing environment can be provided. In short, the 3-day (Thursday evening through Sunday morning) retreats are designed to help improve the quality of life and well-being of the survivors.
While all women suffer with anxiety about their breast cancer diagnosis and the invasive treatment, one quarter of women will also suffer from depression in the first or second year following a mastectomy. Some will work through the anxiety and depression, while others won't, and this may interfere with treatment and reduce a chance of full recovery.
Retreats are usually held in early June with the possibility of an additional retreat in mid to late October, depending on the volume of participants each year.
April 17 – 20, 2008 (Click here to download the application)
A.W.O.L. Retreat Activities
Massage Therapists and Aestheticians are always at hand to provide treatment. Touching helps the body's level of stress hormones decrease and the level of endorphins increase; touch is important for survival itself. Because a woman who has had a mastectomy may feel self-conscious, she may be less likely to seek out a massage, making this element of our retreat especially important. Our nurturing therapists provide a safe environment where our guests can indulge.
Our customized trust building exercises allow for letting go vs. controlling. Instinctually women are nurturers, often making it difficult to receive their much needed care from others. These reflective group exercises help guests understand that it*s OK to receive.
Specially tailored art and writing workshops are offered as a healing art. Providing a safe and supporting environment along with these expressive arts facilitates introspection and growth our guests hold on to long after the weekend has ended.
Our certified Yoga and Tai-Chi instructors lead classes that not only provides exercise, but also affect a person's emotional well-being; including dynamic interplay of movements, breathing exercises, meditations, lifestyle skills, rituals, gestures, and healing sounds. Many of these aspects are also true of our serene hiking excursions, lead by a certified Sierra Club member, who takes our guests into nature celebrating the beauty and joy of our mountain environment.
Throughout the retreat we have a series of wonderful little surprises touching each woman's soul. This facet of the retreat takes the experience above and beyond one's expectation.
And to complete the package, we have an array of photographers, make-up artists, and hair designers helping to bring out the natural beauty that each woman holds within her, capturing it forever in our glamour photography. Guests often shy away from the camera, but with a little coercing, they indulge, having been happy they did it after all
No one has yet to leave an A.W.O.L. retreat dissatisfied. Quite the contrary. It becomes the
most memorable weekend in a woman's life...volunteers included.© 2003–2008 Copyright From Chrysalis to Wings and AWOL. All rights reserved.
A.W.O.L.