Healing Your Confidence

I spent last weekend enjoying an incredible gift given to breast cancer survivors through the generosity of the American Cancer Society. The ACS’ Adventure Weekend is just what it sounds like: the chance for breast cancer survivors to get together and participate in a number of challenging activities they might never have considered doing before–let alone had the chance. For instance, when was the last time you found yourself on a bright blue, cold October day, a good three stories high in the trees, looking down off a platform with your toes over the edge, ready to step off? Or in a plastic kayak, fighting the wind-roughened water of a northern lake, convinced each little ripple (let alone the bigger waves) was going to spill you into the icy water? And then there was the Native American drumming and dancing…

Eight of us arrived at Boston University’s Sargent Center camp in Hancock, N.H. in a downpour Friday evening. Hurricane-force winds and driving rain ripped many of the remaining leaves off the trees as the temperature plummeted. The instructors told us what we’d be doing the next day, stressing the necessity for multiple layers, dry shoes, hats, and gloves. We looked at one another apprehensively. Whoops. How about sneakers and jeans and a sweatshirt? We retired to our bunk beds, feeling like kids at summer camp, ready for the next day–maybe.

Saturday dawned thankfully sunny, although the wind continued to howl. Weekend leaders Chris and Mary led us in some bonding games, some soul-searching exercises, and then we headed out to the lake for kayaking. I was game, but doubtful–would the wind push me backwards faster than I could paddle forwards? And just how tippy are those little plastic boats? After a short but thorough lesson from our Eastern Mountain Sports instructors, Ellen and Rebecca, we shoved off. Literally, each of us shoving the next into the water. And glory be–the wind died down as we began to paddle. Even the most timid of us was able to master the few simple strokes Ellen had showed us, and as we laughed and poked our way down to the end of the lake and back, my confidence grew with each sweeping stroke.

After dinner, we hiked to a lodge at the end of the property, and there met Julie, who took us on a guided mental journey to discover our animal totems, and encouraged us to take turns beating the Mother Drum. Julie played her flute, and I wrapped myself in an iridescent scarf and danced… for hours. Huh? Would I ever have suspected, 24 hours earlier, that I’d put aside my shy, collected, everyday self and become completely absorbed in this Native American ritual? Another part of the adventure.

Sunday marked the culmination of the weekend; a high ropes course. Hilary showed us how to don harness and deal with carabiners, ropes, spotters, the arcane gear of climbing. And then we were at the course in the woods, staring up to the treetops where we were now, supposedly, going to climb. The final adventure.