Spa, Fitness Center Pampers Cancer Patients
Cancer FitSpa Helps Patients To Gain Control
POSTED: 4:14 pm MDT October 18,
2002
DENVER -- Cancer FitSpa is not a traditional hospital, but rather a unique spa that offers exercise and pampering for cancer patients. It's a place where cancer patients enjoy gentle hand treatments and massage, but also learn about exercise.
"This place is a dream come true for people who don't know what to do and need guidance on what's healthy and what's not healthy to exercise," said Marcia McGilley, director of Cancer FitSpa.
On the day that 7NEWS Meteorologist Pam Daale went there, she learned how to stay healthy and strong as she fights her battle with breast cancer.While exercise can help patients better tolerate chemotherapy and radiation, the strong medical treatments can also limit the energy patients need to exercise."We're always cognizant of chemo, radiation, all other variables going on in their lives," Mary Sundland of Cancer Fit Spa says.McGilley is also a cancer survivor. Five years ago she was battling ovarian cancer."I think being a survivor, I was able -- having gone through the experience -- to know things like not having aromatherapy. We have people who will feel nauseous," says McGilley.
And there are other differences with this spa. Lotions and polishes at Cancer FitSpa are non-carcinogenic. There's just one treadmill because many cancer patients are on medication that impacts their balance. And the exercise is less intense, at 40 to 60 percent of a person's maximum heart rate instead of a typical 65 to 80 percent."Once they start working out too hard, instead of boosting the immune system, it actually causes detriment to the immune system," says Sundland.The spa's services are directed at helping each patient gain more control at a time when doctors seemingly control every decision for them."Here, everything we do is about nurturing, all about strengthening your body to get through what you're going through," McGilley says.Like other gyms, the Cancer FitSpa is a private club with initiation dues and monthly fees. They do not take insurance.For more information, you can call them at (303)761-9336 or check out their Web site at CancerFitSpa.com.
"This place is a dream come true for people who don't know what to do and need guidance on what's healthy and what's not healthy to exercise," said Marcia McGilley, director of Cancer FitSpa.|
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And there are other differences with this spa. Lotions and polishes at Cancer FitSpa are non-carcinogenic. There's just one treadmill because many cancer patients are on medication that impacts their balance. And the exercise is less intense, at 40 to 60 percent of a person's maximum heart rate instead of a typical 65 to 80 percent."Once they start working out too hard, instead of boosting the immune system, it actually causes detriment to the immune system," says Sundland.The spa's services are directed at helping each patient gain more control at a time when doctors seemingly control every decision for them."Here, everything we do is about nurturing, all about strengthening your body to get through what you're going through," McGilley says.Like other gyms, the Cancer FitSpa is a private club with initiation dues and monthly fees. They do not take insurance.For more information, you can call them at (303)761-9336 or check out their Web site at CancerFitSpa.com.Copyright 2005 by TheDenverChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
