Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/388246
26 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | OCTOBER 2014 this process," Marywilde says. By August 2007, Joy felt well enough to return to her Pilates classes. Marywilde helped her ease back into exercising, ensuring she followed doctors' orders to take care with her arm and the area where she'd had her mastectomy. Joy credits Pilates for helping her rebound from her illness faster than expected. Today, cancer-free for seven years, she shares her experience with others openly. For her, it's a way to continue the support system. She also expresses appreciation for the opportunity to engage in the things she loves—from time with family and friends to the time she spends hiking in the mountains. This past August, Joy left for a six-week trip to Spain, where she planned to walk the Camino de Santiago with her husband. Prior to her departure, she talked with excitement and nerves about making the long trek. Then she paused before adding: "No matter what, the important thing to me is to have the experience." I N AUGUST 2010, Russell Dawson learned he had stage 4 colon and liver cancer. His oncologist at Swedish Cancer Institute didn't mince words: Russell's condition was dire. The treatment plan, which included chemotherapy and radiation, was extensive and powerful. "Ten days later, I had a port implanted in my chest and the chemotherapy treatments began," he says. "The train was leav- ing the station. I could either get on board for the ride or face the inevitable consequence of my life ending." That ride would take more than two years and involve 21 rounds of chemotherapy, 25 radiation sessions, a 6.5-hour operation to remove the tumors, a seven-month ileostomy, and a five-hour double hernia operation. When looking back, the light-hearted attorney tells many stories of how he made his doctors and nurses laugh throughout his treatment process. As a patient, he kept a positive outlook and did not give in to fear, which was instrumental for his recovery. RUSSELL DAWSON • Pilates played an important role in Joy's recovery. So did her relationship with instructor Marywilde Nelson. • Russell Dawson's return to the basketball court and weight room came shortly after he beat two forms of stage 4 cancer.