I Didn’t Know What You Were Giving Us

Student of Donna McElhose

Wildwood, IL

In the summer of 2004 I found the Cancer Wellness Center of Northbrook, Illinois—a place I needed after a diagnosis of breast cancer. I met with a counselor to talk about myself and my feelings, and realized that here I might find care that I needed as much as my surgery and radiation.

T’ai Chi Chihwas offered as a class at the Center. I have always enjoyed watching people doing T’ai Chi Chih in the park and thought it must be something special. I decided to try it.

I arrived at class one morning in a large sunny room with lovely windows overlooking a small lake. Swans were swimming in the lake and trees and bushes framed the windows. It was the kind of place I loved and the teacher talking with students in the advanced class looked very pleasant—and not at all scary!

As soon as our teacher started the class, I liked her and knew I could learn from her. She obviously cared deeply about each student and what she was teaching. I attended class as often as I could.

About a year later at the end of August 2005, I arrived at the Wellness Center not feeling well and hopeful that I would find some relief. But I had to leave the class early and later that afternoon I was admitted to the emergency room with severe vomiting, the result of an inner ear virus.

Illness affects the mind as well as the body. On my discharge from the hospital, I was feeling quite sad, depressed and lonely. Nothing seemed right and I felt quite weak.

I had missed my T’ai Chi Chih class but had purchased a T’ai Chi Chih DVD from Donna several weeks before my illness. I sat quietly watching it and noted a new feeling of peacefulness.

For several weeks the disorientation and unpleasantness from my illness continued to affect me. I tried to do the things I needed to do, but felt frustrated and upset.

One morning I drove the short distance to Lake Michigan, where I often like to go, and climbed over the barrier rocks and down on the other side to be as close as possible to the clear blue water.

As I sat there, looking off to the lake’s horizon, a change occurred. I felt my body doing the gentle movements of T’ai Chi Chih. I breathed deeply—and realized that my body was moving back and forth, doing “Rocking Motion,” gently, persistently. I felt my mind and body change from depression and sadness to peace and elation. Then, exhilaration and joy.

I am beginning to learn what T’ai Chi Chih can do for me as well as others. I am awed and grateful to all who have studied and shared this gift. Thank you, dear Donna McElhose, for your dedication and commitment to us in the beginner class. Every week you come and share your gifts with us, so patiently, so beautifully. I really didn’t know what you were giving us!

I also express my gratitude to the Northbrook Cancer Wellness Center for making T’ai Chi Chih available to all of us, and to Justin Stone.

(You can teach an old dog new tricks!)