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Helping with cancer recovery
Exercise classes, boutiques and sharing experiences help women to cope.

By BARB KREBS
For the Weekly Record
04/14/2009 08

Fitness instructor Diane Sterner is introducing an exercise program exclusively for women recovering from cancer.

Sterner, the owner of See and Feel the Difference, offers fitness classes for women only and exercise classes for children in several local child-care centers.Sterner made the decision to branch into a program to help women recover from cancer after watching a good friend battle the disease.

"Diana Klunk has been my best girlfriend since sixth grade, and I was devastated when I found out she had breast cancer. This was a way to do something for Diana and other women with breast cancer," Sterner said.

She was looking to expand her business anyway, and decided to combine her 20 years of experience as a fitness professional with a certified program to fortify women completing breast-cancer treatment, she said.

"It really is essential to get back in shape as part of breast-cancer recovery," Sterner said.

Certainly, everyone can benefit from regular exercise; and for women recovering from breast cancer, this specially designed program helps the body recover from surgery and better tolerate chemotherapy and radiation.

Sterner said she has seen women who are self-conscious after having a mastectomy or because of hair loss caused by chemotherapy, and said anyone in that circumstance could benefit from getting together with other women who are going through the same thing.

"Getting together to exercise can make them feel good about themselves, and it makes me feel good to be able to do something for them,"Sterner said.

The women not only get together to exercise, but can also share their concerns and talk about their fears, offer advice and ideas and help one another through a very difficult time, she said.

"Everyone seems to be going through the same thing. . . . Almost everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer in one way or another. You are seeing more and more pink ribbons on cars," Sterner said, referring to the pink ribbons that have become an international symbol of breast-cancer awareness.

Sterner's exercise program offers two types of classes for those in specific phases of recovery - balance and stretching classes for women 6 to 12 weeks post-surgery, and cardio and strength exercises for women 12 or more weeks post-surgery.

Timing depends on the physical condition of the individual, the length of the healing process, the type of surgery and treatments involved, and the recommendations of physicians, nurses and physical therapists,Sterner said.

* * *

Sterner's friend Diana Klunk was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2006.

While undergoing treatment that included surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, Klunk realized it was important to reach out to other women who were also struggling with the reality of breast cancer.

"Almost immediately after I knew that, I had to do something with it," Klunk said.

She learned early on about the difficulty of finding clothing and other items in most major stores.

"I found you just can't get the things you need," she said referring to specialized items such as mastectomy bras or swimwear, custom-fitted garments, prosthetics and wigs.

Her solution was to open LifeChanges, a health and healing boutique for women living with cancer.

A trip to visit a friend in Albuquerque included a stop at a trade organization conference that provided a lot of insight and help in getting her business off the ground.

Klunk said she has found her own niche.

"I wanted to make this whole problem easy for women. I wanted to be able to show women how to feel better. I have met women who have been very supportive, and I now truly know my purpose in life. I believe this is want God wants me to do. He allowed me to live throughcancer so I would understand and be able to help people deal with cancer. It is wonderfully fulfilling. It is nice to get up each day and look forward to going to work," Klunk said.

A variety of products and services are available at LifeChanges. Hats, scarves, turbans and other apparel, skincare products, jewelry, educational information, inspirational books, custom gift baskets, and more - all designed to meet the needs of women living with a cancer diagnosis.

When these special women come in search of something more than tangible things, Klunk has the answer for that, too.

"Sometimes we just talk, just sit down with someone and have a cup of tea and talk, share what is happening in her life, what she is going through," Klunk said.

In addition to opening LifeChanges at 400 York St. in Hanover, Klunk encouraged her friend Diane Sterner to move ahead with exercise classes for women recovering from breast cancer.

"I found there is a need for exercise, and Diane was so helpful to me, and I thought this was a good way for her to be able to help other women," Klunk said.

Klunk hosts a support group for breast-cancer survivors that meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Hanover shop. She and her husband, Ken, a colorectal-cancer survivor, are strong advocates for cancer screenings and early detection, and volunteer their time to co-chair their local Relay for Life.

Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, celebrates cancer survivors and raises money for cancer research. The event is held annually in many towns and cities across America and abroad.

***

Exercise classes
RECLAIMING YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE is an essential part of breast-cancer recovery, veteran fitness professional Diane Sterner said.

See and Feel the Difference, Sterner's business, is offering an exercise program exclusively for women recovering from breast cancer. It is a certified program designed to fortify women completing treatment, and offers two different classes to meet specific recovery needs.

· Balance, Stretch and Restore, for women 6 to 12 weeks post-surgery, uses exercise to restore balance and flexibility to particular joints and muscle groups that have become weak and inflexible as a result of surgery.

· Total Body Rebuild, for women 12 or more weeks post-surgery, includes a warm-up and light cardio and strength exercises incorporating 1- and 2-pound handheld weights.

This class will help minimize weight gain, maximize body strength and improve or maintain muscle tone and bone density during and afterchemotherapy and radiation. Endurance and strength training will increase the metabolic rate and improve body composition, bone density and muscle tone.

Classes will begin Monday and will be held at Powder Mill Apartments Community Room, Oak Ridge Drive, York Township.

Balance and stretch will be 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Tuesdays and 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Wednesdays. Total Body Rebuild will be 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Mondays and 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Thursdays.

Both classes are held weekly for six weeks; cost is $50. For details, call Sterner at 741-1872 or e-mail her at cnfeel@hotmail.com.

Sterner's Web site is now under construction; when completed, it will be available at www.seeandfeel.net.

Exercise and recovery
SOME OF THE BENEFITS of exercise following cancer treatments include:
· It elevates endorphin levels, which relieves tension, depression, weakness and fatigue.
· It prevents lymphedema by promoting drainage of lymph fluids.
· It reduces the formation of scar tissue and frozen shoulder.
· It restores and maintains range of motion and flexibility to involved areas of the body.
· It re-educates the involved muscles to move in a safer, more efficient manner.
· It facilitates overall conditioning to increase physical stamina for faster recovery after the surgery and easier tolerance of adjuvant treatments (chemotherapy and radiation).

Boutiques
LIFECHANGES BOUTIQUE for women, 400 York St., Hanover, caters to the special needs of women recovering from cancer.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, and evenings and Saturdays by appointment.

A support group for breast-cancer survivors meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month.

For details, call 633-1111, e-mail lifechanges4women@yahoo.com, or visit www.lifechanges4women.com.

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