On the beat to recovery

AT the World Beat Fitness Centre in Janabiya, owner and director Jane Goodwin teaches a holistic fitness and well-being class called Nia.

It’s a class that incorporates everything from jazz and modern dance to martial arts and yoga.

At 53 she’s an excellent advertisement; she has the kind of figure and complexion that most women in their 30s could only dream of.

It’s hard to believe that just over a year ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but Jane is a woman who changes your perception about what it means to be a recent cancer patient.

A long-term resident of Bahrain, Jane has always loved movement, advocating it as a road to wellness, and, over the past 13 months she has danced her way to recovery.

“All the literature about cancer recovery, side effects and therapy say move, move, move,” she explained. “Even if you feel horrible and depressed it says get up and take a walk. The healing journey of movement is part of my recovery; it’s what carried me through.”

Jane was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2006 on her annual trip home to Portland, Oregon, US. At her yearly breast examination her doctor discovered that a previously benign lump in her breast had changed shape.

“Every year I have mammograms and check-ups,” she explained. “Since my 40s I became more careful and aware of how important a yearly check-up is.”

Within an hour doctors had conducted a diagnostic mammogram, an ultrasound and a needle biopsy.

“I was frightened because it suddenly felt like things were moving fast, and when they put me in the fancy waiting room I started to worry.” she said.  

That was a Friday. The next few days were a rollercoaster of emotions, at times thinking everything would be fine and at others, suspecting the worse.

On Monday morning a call from Jane’s doctor confirmed the test was positive.

She had breast cancer.

“I went straight to my doctor and started to plan a strategy,” she said.

For the past five years Jane had been seeing a naturopathic doctor. Unlike allopathic medicine which treats disease using conventional medical therapies, naturopathic medicine seeks to treat disease by assisting the body’s innate capacity to recover from illness and injury.

But in this circumstance, Jane and her doctor worked out a plan to fight the disease using both. Her doctor prepared her with herbs, teas and treatments and a lumpectomy was conducted to remove the tumour.

Lumpectomies are accompanied but radiation treatment, and in Jane’s case chemotherapy too – something she struggled to come to terms with.

After seeking advice, she decided to go ahead with it. She added: “Eventually after a lot of guidance I followed my inner voice and decided to run the complimentary medicine alongside chemo and radiation consecutively. I went for it full-heartedly and asked everyone to support me in my decision.”

Six weeks after the operation she started chemotherapy sessions. The sessions took place every two weeks for four months alongside acupuncture sessions twice a week.

“There were difficult times,” she conceded, “but I had support with the side effects not only from medicine but from wonderful doctors, friends and family. It wasn’t as horrible as you would think because of all of that.

Jane’s husband, son and daughter were pillars of strength throughout. It was while going through chemo that an opportunity arose that would help more than almost anything on the road to recovery.

A Nia class for cancer survivors was held at the hospital. “It was a beautiful way to begin to recover,” she said. “I started exercising and dancing with a great group of women. It was so light and healing and nurturing.”

Movement is now seen as a key element in cancer recovery. A range of medical studies over the last decade have advocated the power of exercise and linked excessive rest by cancer patients to increased fatigue and loss of strength.

For Jane the familiar, yet simplified, organic movements of Nia were perfect, but towards the end of her treatment her teacher was transferred and Jane was asked to take over the classes.

“I was sort of scared to teach again because it had been so long,” she explained. “I wondered if I could still do it, if I would have the balance and endurance, but I did and I was so lucky that I had that chance.”

In April, Jane was well enough to return to Bahrain for a short trip. She said: “It was healing for me to see Bahrain because I missed it so much. Bahrain is special to me in many ways. I love this country.”

Last month Jane returned and settled back into her life in Bahrain for good. Her popular Nia classes are once again taking place three times a week and her side-effects are becoming less and less prevalent.

“I am gaining strength all the time, there’s no clear end, but it’s a process and I am grateful I am coming through it,” she said.

On October 20, Jane and her team at the World Beat Fitness will hold a Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Classes in Nia, belly dancing, pilates, salsa, capoeria and karate will be held throughout the day.     

Last year the centre held a breast cancer awareness day in Jane’s honour as she battled her way through chemotherapy. Her fellow teachers organised the entire event on their own initiative and donated much time and energy to the cause.

“About this time last year I had lost every hair on my head and was feeling awful, but everyone here was working to raise awareness for breast cancer,” she said.

This year Jane will be able to hold her own classes on the open day. In doing so, she and her team will honour all those who have been, or are still, affected by breast cancer.    For more details contact 17612576 or visit www.worldbeatfitness.com