When they arrived at the Absaroka Ranch near Dubois, they were 14 strangers from across the state of Wyoming. 14 women diagnosed with breast cancer. From age 42 to 75, from teacher to photographer and lawyer to nurse, from remission for 10+ years to having completed treatment just weeks prior. They are mothers, they are grandmas, and they are survivors.
The women were gathering for the annual Casting for Recovery, a weekend retreat in July where breast cancer survivors get together to learn from and support each other, get away from the hubbub of daily life and learn how to fly fish. The local CFR is part of a national program.
They learned about terrestrials, hatches and larva from Jean Bruun and Patty Reilly, the weekend’s fly-fishing instructors. They talked about what fish eat and how they are affected by the life cycle of aquatic insects. Each woman was presented her own fly box filled with flies donated by generous fly tyers across the country.
In addition to the recreational aspect of the weekend, a medical team talked to the women about a number of breast cancer topics ranging from reconstructive procedures to recurrence to body image.
Fort Washakie woman Karen Chingman described the weekend as an unforgettable experience. She’s been cancer free for almost 10 years and lives an active life as a wife and grandmother all while working full-time.
Judy Johnson of Dubois and CFR Wyoming Coordinator Mary Turney. h/t Carolyn Gillette.
“It was so touching,” she said. “It made you really feel loved.”
She said during her battle, she’s had lots of support from her family. But she said hearing from some of the other women, she realized how lucky she was. Not everyone had experienced the same things he had. “It made me more grateful for every day I have,” Chingman said.
The women were showered with gifts throughout the weekend, including being presented with their own fly rods at the conclusion donated by Bob and Mary Lou McGee. “It was almost like we like little girls,” Chingman said. “I wanted to stay longer.”“This was a life altering weekend. For the first time, I connected with my “whole self.” I have never been able to meditate but this is my new meditation technique. When casting and trying to hit the mark, the focus is all encompassing.”
“Riding home, I figured out how it impacted me. Just like I had to stop essentially everything I was doing when diagnosed with cancer; this weekend forced me to stop essentially everything and take a close look at what had happened (good and bad) in this past 30 months. I didn’t realize how much I needed to (re)focus. I can compare it to the flight feeling of running away . Now I can stop running.”
The women attending represented the following communities: Etna, Jackson, Fort Washakie, Cody, Pinedale, Buffalo, Saratoga, Dubois, Sheridan, Casper, Deaver and Wilson.
Wyoming’s CFR was also highlighted last month on a national level by NBC News.