Casa Wish hosted the first survivor November 20 - 30, 2007. Joan stayed for 10 days of rest and relaxation and tropical healing. As promised, here is the excerpt she provided from her journal on the experience.
"What an amazing gift to escape breast cancer for 10 days in Mexico! Fanny’s vision is truly extraordinary and Casa Wish is a healing and beautiful retreat. The pace here is tranquil and unhurried – the big daily decisions are lounge chair or hammock? What should we eat? Before or after the beach?
My cancer journey began in November of 2006 and I have undergone 3 surgeries to finally remove all of the cancer. I have an upcoming surgery in December for reconstruction. My only income has been the loving donations of family and friends, so a vacation had never entered my mind. Hester Hill Schnipper at Beth Israel put Fanny and I in contact, we met for coffee and she invited me to her home in Tulum. Ten days in Mexico at Fanny’s place is just what the doctor should have ordered.
Prior to this I had only known of Fanny though her writing and illustrations of the “I wish I knew” series of books which really touched my heart.
Fanny is not only great company but a thoughtful and attentive hostess who makes a mean cup of coffee. After morning coffee, we had yoga sessions in the back yard overlooking uninhabited jungle as far as you can see. Fanny’s voice carries the quality of a guided meditation and she ends with a prayer, it really was a great spiritual experience.
I was treated to a shamanic healing and an excellent massage. The healing was by a gifted woman named Donna who used smoke, crystals, touch and spirits to see inside of me. She was clearly psychic as she demonstrated her ability to identify some detailed issues of mine as well as seeing and describing some of my best friends. I felt amazingly lighter and less anxious after the session. Susanna, the masseuse, was very skilled and brought her table and oils right to the house. I could feel the stress and tension as she moved it up and out of my body as she worked on me.
Thanksgiving dinner was an eclectic mix or people from all over who have chosen to relocate in Tulum. Former residents of New York, Connecticut, Texas, Massachusetts as well as Italy and Mexico City were represented, coming together in gratitude. Everyone contributed to the dinner which was held at the lovely home of Felix and Kim, who not only had electricity but a refrigerator! No oven though…so the apple pie job went to Fanny who has a small oven but no electricity. The turkey was cooked in an oven at a restaurant – the only place around with an oven big enough to cook a turkey.
Easy as pie, they say here but not in Tulum! There are no frozen “Mrs. Smith’s” or ready-made pie crusts here or even pie plates. We rallied and managed to find all the ingredients including a bottle from the beach to use as a rolling pin. We took the handle off the frying pan to use as a pie plate to bake in the oven. We had an apple peeling meditation of apples to fill the frying pan pie and a borrowed casserole dish pie! It was a delicious meal we were all thankful for.
The gorgeous views and tranquil atmosphere made me forget the few luxuries I was without. The full moon at night was something you can only truly experience in an area without artificial light. The same thing with the stars. The rhythm of the sea puts you to sleep and the birds waken you. Fanny’s creative touches are everywhere from the peace sign mosaic in the kitchen to the housing and landscape design.
Casa Wish was an incredible experience and just what I needed to recharge and finish this pesky cancer drama so I can move forward with my life. It was gratifying not to be “cancer girl” for 10 days; no doctor appointments, no decisions, just beautiful weather, sun, sand and non-cancer reading! Fanny’s kind and generous spirit made me feel right at home and she is a powerful example of not only surviving cancer but thriving to fulfill her dreams."