Rosalind's Story

Bonnie Schuman
Last Modified: May 25, 1997

I write this because I want everyone

to know that The Wellness Community

made a remarkable difference

for me and hundreds like me. I hope

that The Wellness Community is there

for every cancer patient.

I was very frightened. Very frightened. My Leukemia had returned. I was in Seattle for chemotherapy, radiation and a Bone Marrow Transplant. Can you imagine what that's like? It was the most difficult period of my life and there was no assurance it would work. I spent six weeks in a little sterile room behind a plastic curtain. It was my little prison. I was terribly weak and constantly vomiting. It was awful. That was in 1989 and here I am today!

Let me tell you how important The Wellness Community was to me. I had visited the Community during my first bout with Leukemia but I didn't feel that I needed it then. I thought it was a wonderful program for others, but my chances of recovery were excellent and I had too much to do. That feeling changed very rapidly after the Bone Marrow Transplant. My physicians and medical team were marvelous, but I needed the support of other people who understood so I went to The Wellness Community to get it and get it I did.

I stayed in my Wellness Community group for two years and found friends, hope, encouragement and support, the kind I could have received no where else. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I attended imagery workshops and other events at The Wellness Community and read the books but it was my friends in the groups who really made the big difference. They had cancer so they understood. I could talk to them in ways that I couldn't even talk to my family. I truly believe that if it were not for my wonderful medical treatment and the support of the people at The Wellness Community I wouldn't be where I am today.

I hope that The Wellness Community is there for every cancer patient. It's a must.