Dr. Kathy Neacy, who works in Emergency Medicine at Loyola University Medical Center, had always been on the administering side of the doctor’s trade until her diagnosis of early stage breast cancer in October of 2009. She underwent a double mastectomy in November, then began chemotherapy in December – an experience which would become a year-long odyssey with the invasive treatment. Dr. Neacy’s concentration was fixated on the medical side of her treatments, which were conducted in her own hospital. What she couldn’t grasp on her own, however, were the emotional effects of her ordeal.

Friends of Dr. Neacy’s mother urged her to visit Wellness Place, the cancer wellness center in Palatine. Kathy Neacy “went there kicking and screaming,” she readily admits. “I was focused on the medicine part of it and I was just mad, and maxed out. Going to Wellness Place was really just one more appointment for me, but I did make the effort to call and find out what they offered.”

As a newly-diagnosed patient, Wellness Place set Dr. Neacy up with Kathy Hill, who specializes in supporting breast cancer patients and survivors through one on one counseling. Hill helped her deal with the side of her disease that her medical training hadn’t prepared her for – so much so, in fact, that she’s still attending the counseling sessions. A hallmark of their program, one on one counseling at Wellness Place provides education and support within a non-clinical setting.

Dr. Neacy, as a scientist, recognized the importance of medical treatment but since attending Wellness Place has realized how necessary holistic treatment is, as well. At Wellness Place, Kathy Neacy was exposed to Reiki treatments for the first time. “Reiki was the weirdest, most amazing thing,” Dr. Neacy explains. “It was a huge jump for me – the first time I went, I came out so much calmer. I loved it!”

Wellness Place helped to refocus her energy. “These therapies are a huge jump for me,” she says. “The whole thing was a really remarkable experience, which allowed me to focus on sources of stress, and learn how to relax and be calmer.”

Wellness Place also helped Kathy Neacy’s six-year old daughter, Lucy, process her mother’s cancer. Lucy attended art therapy sessions with Lori Mackey for just over half a year. “Lucy didn’t talk a lot,” Dr. Neacy says, “but there was a really good connection. Wellness Place was a place for her to go that she associated with healing – it was a safe place for her to go to heal and process what was going on.”

This year, Dr. Neacy will able to walk in the Wellness Place 2nd Annual Community Cancer Walk/Run to raise funds for the cancer center that helped her open up, and helped her daughter heal. Lucy will happily accompany her mom. “I’ve done lots of volunteering, and supporting others, but I’m not a good taker,” Kathy Neacy admits. “It’s typically hard for me to reach out to anyone and seek help. Wellness Place transformed me, and through me, Lucy, to be able to accept their support and services.”

The Wellness Place 2nd Annual Community Cancer Walk/Run is this Saturday, May 14, 2011, beginning at 9:00 AM (registration opens at 8:30 AM) at Harper College in Palatine.  For more information or to participate, visit www.WellnessplaceWalkRun.kintera.org or call 847-221-2400.

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