Donna Brown – Mesquite participant
I am so excited to tell you about my first year as a participant in FitSTEPS for Life®, provided by CFFL. I started the program November 20, 2008 after my husband of 36 years died of lung cancer. I was exercising very little and really didn’t see much need to start. A lady from my church told me about this program so I signed up and met with Denine a short time later. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I thought I could at least give it a try. I will forever be grateful that I did. I have lowered my overall cholesterol by 29 points in one year and my diabetes is under control with diet and exercise. My doctor gave me an excellent rating on my annual physical this year. I consider the program and Denine both God-sent. Thank you for this great opportunity!
Annita McReynolds - Bullard Participant
Have met some great concerned people. Have been able to exercise whenever I need to. Have kept feeling good and moving. Have learned specific exercise for specific problems. Have had opportunities to help and encourage others.
Jane Purtle - Bullard Participant
FitSTEPS for Life has impacted my life in many ways. It has encouraged me to exercise regularly and given me a very supportive group to work with. The volunteers and paid staff are great. The Pilates class has been most helpful. And all of this free! Keep up the good work.Gaynell Clowers - Lindale Participant
I find that after a stroke that left my speech impaired, when I exercise my speech is better. Thanks for your support with this place of exercise.
Coetta Myers - LindaleParticipant
The exercise program has definitely been stimulating and rewarding in many aspects of my life. I have improved energy, memory and motivation, all of which makes for a happier beginning of each day. Thank you for all your concern and dedication to cancer patients.
Helen and Robert Boyd - Athens Participants
We have both been cancer patients. Robert had cancer of the vocal cord as well as heart surgery and stroke in January – February, 2008. Helen had breast cancer December 2007. In April – May, 2008 after having radiation treatments in Athens, Texas Cancer Center. Dr. Anderson enrolled us in CFFL in the Cain Center, Athens.
It is a well equipped fitness center with a great staff to help cancer patients as well as many who come for exercise. We had never been to a fitness center before. It has truly been a fine experience for us to have regular exercise, make new friends and have help from the well trained staff. We look forward to our weekly visits and feel very blessed. Our health is much improved. Many thanks to CFFL.
Dr. Wm H. Ray - First Christian Church, Tyler Participant
I went from 2.5 minutes on the treadmill in the beginning November 2007 to averaging 14 minutes August 2008. I come to exercise 3-4 times per week. The staff is very pleasant and encouraging.
Gordon Thrall - Jacksonville Participant
For four years I have been participating in the FitSTEPS for Life® program. In the beginning, my wife Betty and I joined together. She had pancreatic cancer and I developed prostate cancer. She died May 28, 2005. Since then, I have actively and whole heartedly immersed myself in the workouts and other aspects of the program. I have reduced my weight from 195 lbs. to 170 lbs. and have been able to keep my blood pressure and cholesterol levels in a normal range.
While I am actually 85 years old, people always guess me to be at least 25 years younger. I feel great with absolutely no health complaints. This I attribute to the benefits I have reaped from being in CFFL’s program. I am so grateful to CFFL, Dr. Kimmel, all the benefactors of CFFL, and of course, the excellent staff. Please keep up the great work!
David Finch - Athens Participant
I would like to express my thanks to Dr. Kimmel for his farsightedness in developing this program. My cancer started 8 years ago, and in August, 2007, doctors thought I was having small strokes, and was in need of an exercise program according to them. A friend had begun attending CFFL, told me about it, and I went to my cancer doctor and got him to recommend your program.
I cannot say enough positive things about it. I have been in the program almost a year and I am in better shape than I have been in a long time. From time to time I have to miss my exercise and I really know it. Oh how wonderful to return.
Your moderators are kind, concerned and knowledgeable. They make us feel very comfortable and treat us like a family. Their first concern is us and our health and not just trying to make it until time to go home.
I know you are proud of your program and well you should be. I am proud to be a part of it and proud to be overseen by your wonderful staff. May God bless you for your concern of others.
Lloyd Wood - First Baptist Church, Tyler Participant
I am now near the end of my second series of six chemo treatments.
I started exercising at FitSTEPS for Life® just after my first chemo treatment. I could only stay on the treadmill about five minutes, then rest, and then do another five minutes. Now, after a year exercising, I do thirty minutes at one time, without stopping. The exercise has really helped me. I quit losing weight, and I continue to have a good appetite and feel good, except for a few days following a treatment.
The staff is all very knowledgeable, helpful and caring. FitSTEPS for Life® has really helped me get through these tough times. I cannot recommend it enough to anyone who is receiving chemotherapy. Don’t give up! The exercise will help you.
Marcie Toups - First Christian Church, Tyler Volunteer and Participant
For the past two and a half years I have been an active participant in the CFFL FitSTEPS for Life® program.
Fifteen years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was treated with surgery and 6 months of chemotherapy. Rockin’ right along for fifteen years when “pow” in March of 2006 I was diagnosed with anal cancer, brand new and unrelated to breast cancer. I had chemotherapy and 41 radiation treatments.
Both my oncologist and radiologist said it would be a tough time with really bad side effects. They also told me about CFFL and said that exercise would help with the side effects. Being a good patient I took their advice and went to the First Christian Church, the site closest to my home, and got started. I didn’t have a clue as to what this was all about. Exercise to me was almost a four letter word. What a wonderful surprise! The staff was so kind, considerate and thoughtful. The volunteers and the participants in the program were so supportive. The companionship included tips on getting through treatments, trading a fabulous lemon cake recipe, screening the latest movies, headlines in the newspaper, best places to eat and countless other topics.
It was so good to talk to people who had been “there” and understood what was happening to me. The treatment side effects were really bad and for a time I had to stop exercising. But when the treatments ended I slowly started on the treadmill. Bit by little bit I regained my strength. I was tired and depressed and I did not want to get up and go. But I did. And it was the best decision. I increased the treadmill minutes at a time.
Six months before this last bout with cancer I had my knee replaced. It had gotten stiff from not being up and about for several weeks. Besides the treadmill, I used the elliptical machine for the knee. Soon I could sit through a 2 hour movie and walk down the stairs. I also used the weights and stretch bands and the arthritis in my neck and shoulders improved.
I don’t consider myself a superwoman or any kind of miracle. I just took full advantage of what has been provided. I am forever grateful to Dr. Kimmel for the program, to all those who have so generously given financially, donated time, equipment and facilities. And for the caring staff, volunteers and my exercise buddies. However, if just one person reads my story or listens to me sing the praises of exercise and decides they can do that, then maybe I have given back a little bit.
