Lynn Manwar

Archive for the ‘Lifestyle’ Category

Lynn’s Comments:  During my recovery from a breast cancer diagnosis, I have spent time scouring the internet for resources and opportunities to learn.  I came across the Young Adult Cancer Canada site several months ago and noticed their amazing programs.  It was close to the date of my lumpectomy and right axillary node dissection that I returned to the site of YACC and decided to submit an application for Retreat Yourself East 2012 in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.  I applied to the program and was informed that I was wait listed on June 25th, 2012.  A few weeks later, I found out the good news that I made it through to getting a spot after being #11 on the wait list!!  I was secretly hoping I could attend the retreat and felt so fortunate that I was accepted!

On July 11th, 2012 after running a few errands I came home and eagerly purchased an airline ticket.  One week later I left on July 18th evening to Sydney, Nova Scotia and met some other gals attending the retreat on the flight there.  In total, 6 of us arrived from Toronto to Sydney airport on a West Jet flight.   It was quite chilly when we exited the airport, very different to the weather we were experiencing in Toronto.

We stayed at Quality Inn Hotel on Kings Road in Sydney.  I awoke the next morning and arrived a few minutes late for breakfast to join the other young women and there were all waiting for us to begin ordering their meals.  A great morning of politeness and courtesy to start off.  It was welcoming and refreshing to be among women with similar experiences to myself.  The conversation began and it somehow stumbled upon the topic of menopause—what a way to begin a morning conversation!

I experienced a wide range of emotions as the retreat began.  I felt excited, nervous, grateful as well as relief to be among a new community of souls who have had similarity in their life journeys.   There was an action packed agenda, with small group discussions, vision boarding, large group shares, hiking, yoga, chi gong, swimming, and acupuncture.    During the free time, I rested mostly, but on the 3rd day, I decided to brave it, and swim in the Atlantic Ocean.  I definitely felt the abundance of the universe while in the ocean and its’ healing energy.

On the whole, we cried alot and shared our innermost feelings.  I also saw the beauty and light of every soul that graced Cabot Shores for this retreat.  The time away from Toronto is just what I needed.  I returned home earlier this week with a sense of strong gratitude and for the new journey that lay ahead in my life.  I start radiation for 30 days next week and then I’ll be a Cancer Graduate!  September is my graduation and that’s only a month away! YAY!

Lynn’s Comments:   I have been on Facebook for over 5 years now.  I have maintained my friendships and have made new friends as well.  I have been documenting my journey through a cancer diagnosis and received a kind offer of a Paraffin Hand Wax treatment from a Facebook friend, B.M. Ramirez in March 2012.  I let her know that I was unable to do any salon visits during Chemotherapy, but could do so after my last Chemo session in May 2012.  So, finally I booked an appointment to visit The Urban Beauty Bar and had my Paraffin Hand Wax treatment today.  It was relaxing, and the wax felt good on my hands.  After the treatment, my skin felt soft.  I am extremely grateful for the gift of this treatment from B.M. Ramirez.

Here’s a video outlining the Paraffin Hand Wax treatment:

Lynn’s Comments:

An associate of mine had mentioned to me about their gym and the steam room with aromatherapy— it sounded amazing and even looked better when I visited the gym last week.  I had decided earlier this week on Tuesday that I indeed wanted a day of relaxation and intended to try out his gym later on in the week.  On the same day, I shared an earlier blog post about Infrared saunas on my Facebook status and I had a few comments about it, which included an invitation to go to Body Blitz—a spa in downtown Toronto from a friend in Hamilton.   I gladly shared my cell number for her to call the next day.

I attended my Breast Cancer Survivor’s group meeting and finished at 2:30pm.  I walked along Bay St. and stopped into Duke’s Pub to order food and use a gift certificate I was holding on from the British Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party.  While in the Pub, I received a call from Radha that she and her daughter were on her way to Body Blitz.  I let her know that I would get my food packed and head over.  I did not feel like taking public transit, so I grabbed a taxi  to join them right away.  I arrived at Body Blitz and the concept of the spa reminded me of my days spent at the hot springs in Nagano, Japan and the city pools in Kyoto, Japan.

I purchased a 5 visit package with 1 FREE visit as I felt going to the spa for detox would be good on a weekly basis before my pending planned surgery.   Then I was escorted into the spa and given my locker key, flip flops, robe, towels and I was ready to go!  Since, I did not bring a bathing suit, as I was a bit unprepared, I had to go naked during this particular spa visit!   Being naked in a spa was familiar ground to me as that’s how it was in Japan as well.  I got my robe on, took a shower with soap and entered the pool hall and found Radha and her daughter.

We all started in the Dead Sea Salt pool, and went through the water circuit that included: a steam room with aromatherapy, infrared sauna, hot tea pool and cold plunge pool.  A rinsing shower would be required after a visit to the sauna and steam room to remove all the toxins from the body.    It was such a relaxing and rejuvenating experience for the first week after my last Chemotherapy treatment, it was exactly what I needed.

It is truly amazing when an intention is set, as the universe definitely delivers.

I highly recommend checking out Body Blitz Spa.