A Story for Simple Pink Retreat Centers, Inc.
I believe that a story is only as good as the
way it is told;
with compassion, honesty, emotion,
and by the person that owns
the "experience." My name is Cathy Rose Sunderlin
and this is my story.
way it is told;
with compassion, honesty, emotion,
and by the person that owns
the "experience." My name is Cathy Rose Sunderlin
and this is my story.
Hi there! I am a 3 time cancer survivor. I am happily married, a grandmother, mother of 2 daughters, and 2 dogs. My family and I have been thrown many curve balls in life; some self-inflicted and some not so much. As a family we have learned to embrace the challenges of life and in turn, feel the reward of love, hope and faith first hand.
My first cancer diagnosis I was 27 years old; it was New Year's Eve! when I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgekin's Lymphoma. I had a tumor in my chest cavity the size of a softball that had wrapped itself around my heart and lungs. This was one hug that rocked my world! I endured 6 months of chemotherapy and 28 days of radiation.
I was 45 years old when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, her2neg. mastectomy, chemotherapy, reconstructive surgery; and I was 53 years old when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, her2pos. mastectomy, reconstructive surgery, no chemotherapy, no radiation, follow-up chemotherapy treatment armidex for (5) years, and continuous follow-up appointments. I am 55 years old. Today it is June 13, 2013; the beginning of a new path. Welcome to my journey.
I truly believe that “God has graced me with the variety plate for a reason that will only unfold as I live my life.“ The intimate details of my treatments and emotional, physical, and spiritual experiences are available at your request by visiting my contact page.
Being a cancer survivor is not always an easy task for me. The head games can become a nuisance, remembering things, and some physical limitations due to surgeries, that only I can feel; and then of course there is always the road map of a few scars that I can see, that lead me back to the first diagnosis, second, third..... So, what I have done over the years is I have read many books, spoke to many people, enjoyed numerous laughs, distanced myself from a few disingenuous friendships, put my spiritual self back on track, took my circle of support, got off the merry-go-round and started living each day as its own. I love life, I love everything about family, friends and nature. I will embrace surviving cancer, but I will not let it take my soul.
I am a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist, Board Certified; Graduate of Finger Lakes School of Massage. I am also a Geriatric Massage Specialist, Reiki Practitioner, and Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist for Breast Cancer survivors living with edema. For the past 20 years my scope of practice has been Therapeutic Massage and Massage for Facility Care and the Seriously Ill.
I have experienced first hand the limitations of diet restrictions, allergies, side effects to medications and surgeries. As a three (3) time cancer survivor I have been blessed with the opportunity to understand the many stages of ones physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual emotions because I have been there! I am not the end-all-be-all. I have a great support group with vast knowledge that I am more than willing to share! It's a MUSE that brought me to creating this site and probably one that brought you to me!
My love for cooking enhances my health and wellness knowledge by believing that food is medicine! Cooking enables me to assist in creating healthy living options with the help of dieticians and physicians as needed. A healthy recipe is always available located at the Pink Palate page. I enjoy Tai Chi for health, walking and meditation. My spare time is spent loving my family, pets, dance, my artwork and the Adirondacks.
I have been encouraged to pursue my dreams based on my own personal experiences, my husband and children, friends and medical professionals. I was born and raised in the greater Utica area, attended local schools and colleges. I love the Mohawk Valley and the Adirondack Mountains. I believe life is about how we can make the best of who we are with the experiences we are willing to share. For me, sharing my knowledge and experience with others opens up an amazing circle of energy; I'm thinking..........what a wonderful circle to create! ...
Love, Cathy Rose
My first cancer diagnosis I was 27 years old; it was New Year's Eve! when I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgekin's Lymphoma. I had a tumor in my chest cavity the size of a softball that had wrapped itself around my heart and lungs. This was one hug that rocked my world! I endured 6 months of chemotherapy and 28 days of radiation.
I was 45 years old when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, her2neg. mastectomy, chemotherapy, reconstructive surgery; and I was 53 years old when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, her2pos. mastectomy, reconstructive surgery, no chemotherapy, no radiation, follow-up chemotherapy treatment armidex for (5) years, and continuous follow-up appointments. I am 55 years old. Today it is June 13, 2013; the beginning of a new path. Welcome to my journey.
I truly believe that “God has graced me with the variety plate for a reason that will only unfold as I live my life.“ The intimate details of my treatments and emotional, physical, and spiritual experiences are available at your request by visiting my contact page.
Being a cancer survivor is not always an easy task for me. The head games can become a nuisance, remembering things, and some physical limitations due to surgeries, that only I can feel; and then of course there is always the road map of a few scars that I can see, that lead me back to the first diagnosis, second, third..... So, what I have done over the years is I have read many books, spoke to many people, enjoyed numerous laughs, distanced myself from a few disingenuous friendships, put my spiritual self back on track, took my circle of support, got off the merry-go-round and started living each day as its own. I love life, I love everything about family, friends and nature. I will embrace surviving cancer, but I will not let it take my soul.
I am a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist, Board Certified; Graduate of Finger Lakes School of Massage. I am also a Geriatric Massage Specialist, Reiki Practitioner, and Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist for Breast Cancer survivors living with edema. For the past 20 years my scope of practice has been Therapeutic Massage and Massage for Facility Care and the Seriously Ill.
I have experienced first hand the limitations of diet restrictions, allergies, side effects to medications and surgeries. As a three (3) time cancer survivor I have been blessed with the opportunity to understand the many stages of ones physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual emotions because I have been there! I am not the end-all-be-all. I have a great support group with vast knowledge that I am more than willing to share! It's a MUSE that brought me to creating this site and probably one that brought you to me!
My love for cooking enhances my health and wellness knowledge by believing that food is medicine! Cooking enables me to assist in creating healthy living options with the help of dieticians and physicians as needed. A healthy recipe is always available located at the Pink Palate page. I enjoy Tai Chi for health, walking and meditation. My spare time is spent loving my family, pets, dance, my artwork and the Adirondacks.
I have been encouraged to pursue my dreams based on my own personal experiences, my husband and children, friends and medical professionals. I was born and raised in the greater Utica area, attended local schools and colleges. I love the Mohawk Valley and the Adirondack Mountains. I believe life is about how we can make the best of who we are with the experiences we are willing to share. For me, sharing my knowledge and experience with others opens up an amazing circle of energy; I'm thinking..........what a wonderful circle to create! ...
Love, Cathy Rose