From a Participant
Fred Marrero
"My weekly support group at
The Wellness Community helped me to
get over my fears and showed me how
to move forward with my diagnosis."
Ten years ago, Fred Marrero’s initial reaction to his diagnosis of a cancerous 4-centimeter tumor on his right tonsil was "shock and numbness." "I refused to believe something like this could happen to me," said Fred, an ordained minister.
On his way home from the hospital, Fred remembered hearing about The Wellness Community (TWC)–Foothills, in Pasadena, where he lived. "I drove straight there, walked into the lobby, and cried. I told the receptionist, I have cancer. She caringly said, No one can tell you when you are going to die." Fred believes that that is when his healing began.
Soon after, Fred attended TWC’s Newcomers Orientation. The facilitator encouraged Fred to check his gut to ensure he felt comfortable with the selection of his medical team as well as his final medical and treatment decisions.
Fred believes his choice of eight weeks of radiation and chemotherapy, along with thousands of prayers, has brought him to a healthy, cancer-free life. "When I first began participating at TWC my weekly support group helped me get over my
fears and showed me how to move forward with my diagnosis," admits Fred. He welcomed the opportunity to talk about personal things that he knew no one else outside TWC could understand. At TWC, Fred turned his focus on attending stress management workshops and nutrition seminars. He also frequently borrowed books from the lending library which were a great resource to him.
Since September 2007, Fred has faithfully volunteered each Wednesday morning at TWC–Arizona. "They always have a smile for everyone who walks through the door," says Fred. "It’s a place where you can feel the support, caring and healing for all touched by cancer."