Living with Intention, Hope and Gratitude
Survivorship 101 Helps Cancer Survivor Live Her Best Life
Robin Schumacher is a breast cancer survivor. A routine mammogram last fall found three small tumors. This led to surgery in October, followed by radiation through the end of 2024.
“I was terrified and mad,” she says. “I’m an overall healthy, blessed person. This can’t be. I am too busy to be sick.”
Today, Robin has changed a lot, thanks to the Survivorship 101 class at the April Sampson Cancer Center. This nine-week class is led by a specially trained team using courses developed by the A Time to Heal Cancer Foundation. It is free for those who have completed active cancer treatment. Survivorship 101 has been shown to help reduce depression and anxiety, while increasing hope, resilience, quality of life and overall happiness.
“I learned to slow down and decompress. I’m not nearly as high-strung.
This class helped me learn about myself and grow as a whole person – mind, body and spirit – and gave me tools to live every day with intention, hope and gratitude.”
— Robin Schumacher, breast cancer survivor
Teresa King, Bryan cancer program advanced practice provider, is one of the course teachers. “The Survivorship 101 class has been a wonderful support for our participants,” she said. “Seeing how much the program has benefited people has been so rewarding.”
Robin says the course was like self-directed therapy, offering hope and inspiration, but also practical tips, like gratitude and managing fear.
“If I’m going to live a healthy life, I need to change – physically and emotionally,” she said. “I’m so grateful that this class touched on all areas. It’s encouraged me to live my best life, and be mindful and intentional.”
Robin participates in many offerings at the April Sampson Cancer Center such as yoga, Healthy Steps, and brain fog and nutrition classes.
“I’ve fallen in love with the place – the building and staff – I find great reward in it.”
In April, she and her husband went hiking in Arizona, something she said she wouldn’t have tried before.
Her advice to others completing their cancer treatment is to hang in there. “You don’t have to do it alone. This class provides the framework.”
The next nine-week session of Survivorship 101 starts Wednesday, June 4. For more information and to register for the free class, visit BryanHealth.org/Survivorship101.
Robin and her husband in Arizona
