Special Achievements

Special Achievement – Michael Lacaria

For most people, April 1, 2005, was just another April Fool’s Day, but what happened to me was no joke. I remember that day like no other, as it was the start of the worst month of my life, and it would lead me to being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

When I woke up that morning, I had a weird sensation at the tip of my tongue. By the evening, everything I touched felt ice-cold, and the sensation was in my fingers and toes. The next day my bones ached like a typical flu, but my hands felt so strange that I decided to go to a walk-in clinic. “Probably a virus,” I was told, “keep an eye and see how it progresses.” Two days later, I could barely walk. I saw my family doctor, but he said there was nothing he could do.

Over the next few days I felt my body shutting down, and I was experiencing strange sensations in my muscles, like that intense tingling you get when your arm or leg is waking up from falling asleep. I repeated this description countless times to doctors who were stumped by my symptoms. The next week was the worst of all, as I could hardly walk and my breathing was laborious. I had been in and out of hospitals for testing, but still had no diagnosis. On April 14, I ended up in an emergency room after a doctor told me I probably had Guillain-Barré Syndrome or GBS. He was the only doctor who diagnosed me correctly. Even in the ER, most doctors didn’t know what GBS was. (I would later find out that the Hepatitis vaccine I took two weeks prior was most likely the reason I was struck with GBS).

GBS is a rare auto immune disorder that attacks the peripheral nervous system, affecting 1 or 2 people per 100,000. It’s frequently severe and usually leads to paralysis. It typically takes a month to peak and how much paralysis one suffers is not initially known. I was 15 days into my deteriorating state of health and I had possibly 15 to go before I’d find out if I was going to be paralyzed. There’s no treatment during this time. It became a waiting game – every night I wondered how much worse I’d be in the morning.

I saw my body go from a healthy 45-year-old who played hockey and worked out with a personal trainer at BBD, to that of an old man who couldn’t stand up or turn over in bed. But I remained optimistic, knowing sufferers can recover from the disorder. I knew I had a good chance of recovering, as I was probably in the best shape of my life, thanks to the trainers at BBD.

April 27 was a good day! I felt much better when I woke up, and from that point I kept improving. My condition had finally peaked, but by then I was partially paralyzed from the waist down and I couldn’t move my legs. I convinced the doctors to let me go home – all the while I had no treatment for this condition. From there on I did physical therapy at home even though the doctors said there was no evidence it would help. Over the next month is where my previous fitness training became most useful. I had good upper body strength left and that helped me cope with my condition. I continued at BBD, concentrating mostly on strengthening my core, and thanks to the trainer, it paid off. I attended two sessions a week, sometimes three. I have to admit I’m not a gym guy, but I believe going to the gym is like taking your medicine. Looking back, being fit was the most significant attribute to my recovery.

By the middle of May I had gone from using a walker to a cane, and by the end of May I was walking again, but slowly. From there, I rebuilt my strength and started a rapid recovery. I can thankfully say I’m 99% recovered. I went back to BBD, and with the help of a personal trainer, I spent the next year getting stronger.

You never know what life throws at you and if I can pass on a piece of advice to those on the fence about exercising, let me coin an old cliché, “You can take your medicine now or you can take it later.” You don’t have to like exercising — staying healthy is a lifestyle choice you must make. Five years later, I’m still taking my medicine!

Special Achievement – Jim Femia

Who would have known that on February 15, 2002, life would change dramatically for the Femia Family.

It was a normal day for Jim Femia, as he kissed his wife and children good day and left for work. He loved his job and he could tell you just about anything you wanted to know about any car especially the Ferrari. Jim was known as a fun guy who was a natural athlete. He didn’t really have to try hard at any sport – he was just good at it.

That evening, he was involved in a serious car accident. Jim was in a coma for three weeks, and his prognosis was not good. The family was told if he did survive, he would be in a vegetative state. Jim’s process of waking up from his coma was a long and slow process. It took months for him to regain the use of his hands, arms and legs. He was confined to a wheelchair for a very long time.

In March 2006 Jim came to One on One Injury & Rehab Specialist at BBD. The beginning of Jim’s recovery was very painful. Not only was he dealing with brain trauma but also extensive soft tissue damage throughout his body. It can be described as the recurring theme of one step forward, three steps back.

Jim Femia with his wife and BBD Therapist Rose

Jim Femia with his wife and Bodies By Design Certified Athletic Therapist Rose Cacioppo

Jim has been very lucky and he has surpassed the doctors’ predictions by not only surviving but also regaining some independence by no longer using a wheelchair, he now uses the walker. Everyday continues to be a challenge for Jim and his family.

When I asked Jim what he is most grateful for, he said…

“That I am alive and can share my life with my family. It made me mature a lot and learn not to take life for granted – always tell your loved ones how much you love them”.

Written by Rose Cacioppo – Bodies By Design Certified Athletic Therapist

Special Achievement – Grace Cocuzzo

I celebrated my 40^th birthday on Nov. 1, 2003, three months after giving birth to my third child. My gift to myself was to join a gym and lose the excess weight, and based on excellent referrals, I chose Bodies by Design. After nine months of personal training sessions, I was looking good.

Summer came and left with no more sessions booked. Fall was busy, and by January, I had put on 10 pounds. These became the hardest to lose, but I would soon learn this was the least of my problems.

In April 2004 I experienced my first ever headache. Three months later, I suffered another gripping headache. My doctor told me it may be because I was entering “a different stage” of life, but the headaches continued. I finally decided in May 2005 that I should get a CT scan or MRI. At my appointment that September, I was told I had a malignant mixed glioma brain tumour, which was classified as slow growing with my life expectancy a maximum 20 years. I was devastated. I cried, felt sorry for myself, and ate. Another 10 pounds crept on.

After a follow-up MRI in early 2006, I was told the tumour had grown and action was necessary. I agreed to surgery, followed by 5 weeks of radiation, which ended that June. By this time I had put on more weight and was depressed and tired.

In January 2007 friends encouraged me to follow alternative therapy with Dr. Sohrab Khoshbin in Richmond Hill. He assured me my tumour would disappear if I reduced the toxins in my body, and so I converted to a vegan vegetarian. Within days of starting my new diet, I felt and looked energized.

I renewed my membership at BBD, but this time it was for much more than toning and weight loss, it was for my life. The training made me feel strong, confident and positive. By June 2007, not only had I lost 30 pounds, but my MRI showed a reduction in the tumour — an unbelievable occurrence. An MRI the following October showed another reduction. The doctors scratched their heads in disbelief.

I’ll have another MRI soon and I’m hoping for more progress. Eating properly and staying fit has kept me positive, energized and healthy. However difficult the journey is, one look at my family reminds me it’s worthwhile. I truly appreciate every day for the gift of life, energy and hope.

Special Achievement – Brenda Bowd

Seven years ago, as an aging ‘baby boomer,’ I took responsibility for improving my personal well-being. Restaurant food and a sedentary lifestyle were taking their toll. I was 30 pounds overweight, well along the path to becoming pleasantly plump. With an elevated body mass index and reduced energy level, my self-esteem was plummeting. My wake-up call was being diagnosed with early onset osteoporosis and arthritis. There was a clear need for a positive intervention to slow the natural deterioration of my aging and the phone call I made to Bodies by Design (BBD) fit the bill perfectly.

My routine at the gym included twice weekly workouts with a trainer. In the first year I lost 31 pounds. The number is significant, because although I was committed to the gym I was still yo-yo-ing with my weight. Over 5 years I re-gained 15 pounds. Despite being given excellent guidance on nutrition and physical activity, I had clearly not mindfully processed the information I had been given. Turning 60, in March of 2007, was a watershed in the way I understood why I was going to the gym.

In October, 2006, I developed a personal commitment to healthy eating, weight training, and cardio exercise. I made the plans given to me by BBD my own. My planned objectives included decreased body weight, lower body fat and muscle gain, using BBD’s systematic approach, complemented by self-directed aerobic and weight training at home. My short term goal was to lose 0.6 pounds of fat each week. When I turned 60, I had not only met my target weight of 115, I had surpassed it, weighing in at 114.2 pounds. My biannual bone density tests, relating to my osteoporosis, had also improved significantly due to my weight-bearing routines at the gym.

A knee injury, in August of 2007, has forced me to cut back on my aerobic activity, pending the results of a recent MRI evaluation. My weight shot up 5 pounds, despite my continuing with my twice weekly pared- back routine at the gym. The knowledge I have learned at BBD, nonetheless, has given me the skills to deal with this temporary set-back. The weight is, and will, come off! The assessments and encouragement, at the gym, have been very important to me during this difficult period. I am going to keep on trekking.

I want to thank trainers Everton and Christian, and the warm supportive atmosphere of Bodies by Design, for the support, encouragement, and positive feedback I have received.

Special Achievement – Justin Clubine

With discipline and determination, our very own Justin Clubine has been invited to ski in France with the Ontario Ski Team! After placing 7^th at the provincial Championships this year, the Ontario Ski Team scouts have given him an invitation to ski with them in France this June.

The invite is a prestigious opportunity for Justin to shine. Justin came to Bodies by Design in September of 2004. Under recommendation of the Alpine Ontario technical director, Justin was put on a strict sport specific regime, which focused on what Justin’s coach defined as his weakness — core training.

Rich was appointed as the trainer and after a few short months Justin was ranked in the top of his age group for his core strength. At 12 years old, Justin’s future never looked brighter. Upwards and Onwards Justin!

The team at Bodies by Design

Special Achievement – Michelle Toscano

Congratulations to our very own Michelle Toscano, who placed first in the fitness division of Miss Latina Canada. Michelle would like to say “thanks” to Rich, her trainer at Bodies by Design, who helped prepare her for the competition.

Michelle will be competing in the finals for the title of Miss Latina Canada on April 8, 2005. We wish her all the best and keep at it … you’re looking great! If you wish to vote for Michelle please visit www.misslatinacanada.com

michelle toscano pic _1[1]

Special Achievement – Rosa Melia

In December of 2003, I began the journey that every woman fears – I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was in good health with no history of the disease and so the diagnosis came as a complete shock to myself and everyone around me. My treatment started with a lumpectomy, followed by a mastectomy a month later.

A few months later, my oncologist recommended another mastectomy due to a possible reoccurrence on the opposite side. Fortunately, I was a candidate for a reconstruction procedure that would use my abdominal muscles and surrounding tissue. Given that I would lose the use of my abdominal muscles, the doctors recommended working out to increase the strength in my arms and legs so that I would be better able to recover from the surgery. It was this that brought me to Bodies by Design in May of 2004.

Having never been to a gym, the thought of joining a gym made me anxious – I signed up to do two-on-one training sessions along with my daughter. My first session, I was met by Paul Cianchetti’s smiling face – he put me at ease and made me feel comfortable in that alien environment. Surprisingly, it was not as intimidating as I had imagined – everyone was helpful and approachable. By the time I had surgery, my upper and lower body strength helped my recovery immensely. Six weeks later, I began working out again – this time doing one-on-one training sessions with Daniel.

Getting in shape has been the best medicine as I have battled this disease. I feel stronger and healthier than I have ever felt. I’ve been told by my oncologist that regular exercise is one of the factors that can significantly lower the risk of reoccurrence. Many thanks to Daniel – who has handled my case with a lot of compassion, understanding and encouragement – and many thanks to everyone at “Bodies” who have helped encourage me to keep going.

Special Achievement – Frank Zamparo

Like some previous contributors to this newsletter, I am writing to bear witness that being fit can make a difference in your life. In my case it helped me overcome my encounter with flesh eating disease – a very rare condition that afflicts less than 150 people a year in Canada.

It started out innocently enough as a small cut on my hand that was not healing. This was followed by a very high fever, severe chills and a strong pain in my right chest. When these symptoms refused to disappear I went to the hospital where I was admitted and immediately placed in the Isolation Unit. Nothing was confirmed so off to Intensive Care I went. Things got worse. My blood pressure dropped – so low that major organs began to shut down (toxic shock) and the fever was still extremely high. A parade of specialists marched through my room asking questions but all left scratching their heads. It got so bad that at one point I was given a 50/50 chance of surviving the night.

Finally, the doctors got it right and figured that the cut on my hand was the entry point for Streptococcus – flesh eating disease. The bacteria had started to infect the right side of my chest so I was quickly operated on immediately to remove the diseased tissue. After that I was put on heavy doses of antibiotics and eventually discharged to a recovery ward.

All this happened in one week. I lost 20 pounds of hard-earned muscle and was told I wouldn’t be back to normal for six months. I was back at Bodies by Design after two months — not six — and with the help of Christian, my personal trainer, I am on track to regain my prior level of fitness. My doctors credited my recovery mostly to my excellent state of fitness.