FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: WKU archaeologist finds healing, community through retreat after breast cancer diagnosis

BOWLING GREEN, KY – For Deborah Parrish, spending time outdoors has always been a part of her life.

As a staff archaeologist at Western Kentucky University, Parrish spends much of her time exploring and studying the world around her.

“Being an archaeologist, I love being outside,” Parrish said. “It’s my hobby. Fortunately, it’s also my job.”

But at 43 years old, Parrish faced a life-changing challenge when a routine mammogram revealed something suspicious. A follow-up biopsy confirmed she had breast cancer.

“It’s just life-changing, and it’s shocking,” Parrish said. “It’s something you never think happens to you until it does.”

During her treatment, Parrish discovered Casting for Recovery, a nonprofit organization that offers free fly-fishing retreats for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

With her lifelong love of the outdoors, Parrish decided to apply.

The retreats provide participants with opportunities to learn fly-fishing techniques, spend time in nature and connect with other women who have experienced similar challenges.

“They have an opportunity to commune with nature, to learn about fly fishing, to talk to other women who’ve walked a similar journey,” said Deloris Cummings, a retreat leader with Casting for Recovery.

Cummings said medical and mental health professionals also participate in the retreats, providing additional support and resources to attendees.

For Parrish, however, one of the most meaningful parts of the experience was connecting with women who understood what she had been through.

“Being able to talk with somebody that’s going through that same challenge as you are, it’s healing,” Parrish said.

The experience left such a lasting impression that Parrish decided to return the following year, this time as a volunteer.

“The year after I was a participant, I actually went ahead and almost immediately applied to be a volunteer,” she said.

Parrish helped with a new retreat serving women from western Kentucky and parts of Illinois and Missouri.

Rather than attending as a participant, she was now helping other women experience the same sense of community and support she had found during her own retreat.

“It’s very bonding,” Parrish said.

Through her involvement with Casting for Recovery, Parrish has developed a deeper appreciation for fly-fishing, the outdoors and the relationships formed through shared experiences.

She now hopes to make more time for the activity while continuing to appreciate the peaceful moments that nature provides.

“Get out of our busy lives and go have a moment and think and appreciate what time you do have and what peaceful moments you can experience with nature,” Parrish said.

What began as an opportunity to find support during a difficult chapter of her life has become a way for Parrish to help other women navigating their own breast cancer journeys.