Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) — There was a time when Doris Ourecky's bones were like that of a 100-year-old. She hadn't yet turned 70, the Beatrice Daily Sun (http://bit.ly/1YVtpYR ) reports.
A year later, Ourecky's bones were like a 50-year-old's. She attributes the transformation to water aerobics.
"In 2003, I developed breast cancer and then I was on chemo, and the chemo took the calcium out of my bones," said Ourecky, 81. "It kept dropping and dropping. They had me walking 10,000 steps, I was on Fosamex, I was on extra calcium."
Her bone density continued to drop.
"Finally, my doctor said, 'Doris, you're in trouble. ... If you fall, it's going to be curtains for you,'" Ourecky said. "He said, 'Get a trainer and start lifting weights. I don't know what else to tell you to do.'"
Ourecky approached a chiropractor in her home town of Wilber who she knew had worked as a trainer for University of Nebraska-Lincoln football players.
"He said, 'You don't need me. All you need is water aerobics. That's the best thing there is because you're pushing 12 pounds when you're pushing water,'" Ourecky recalled. Plus, it's easy on the joints, she said.
As her last hope to build stronger bones, Ourecky participated in a water aerobics class at Doane College until the pool was removed. Now, Ourecky attends water aerobics classes five days a week at the YMCA in Beatrice.
"I know what water does," Ourecky said. "People who say it doesn't work, they're not moving up and down. They're standing there. They're not jumping up and down and moving their feet."
She said her bones now are in the best possible condition.
"I wouldn't give it up for anything," Ourecky said of water aerobics.
In December, Ourecky was diagnosed with leukemia.
"Two years ago, there was a pill developed, so I can take chemo with a pill," Ourecky said. "It's very expensive, but it's going to keep me alive. It won't ever cure the leukemia but it will keep it controlled."
A month after her diagnosis, Ourecky's white blood cell count was good.
"My daughter, who's a nurse, looked at the doctor and said, 'How could that be?' and he went, 'Heck, I don't know. The only thing I can think of is that your mother is in such good physical shape that medicine works better.' So I feel very fortunate and good," Ourecky said.
Ourecky's friend and water aerobics instructor remarked on her positive attitude and dedication to good health.
"She's an inspiration because you would never have guessed that she was sick, ever," said Jessica Schmidt, instructor of Water in Motion and other classes at the YMCA. "Doris really goes for it in class. She works really hard and you can tell because she looks great and has so much energy."
Schmidt said she was in shock when she heard of Ourecky's recent diagnosis.
"When you hear someone has leukemia, you think they're going to be down for a while, in the hospital, sick from meds," Schmidt said. "But she's here. Everyday. She's always got a smile on her face."
Schmidt said Ourecky occasionally tells her story to individuals new to the class and motivates them to keep going.
"She's just a wonderful, wonderful lady and I've become so close to her in the short time that I've started teaching," Schmidt said. "She's an amazing person."
Schmidt said water aerobics is the best option for anyone struggling with joint pain. The joint pain felt from running and lifting weights isn't felt in the water, she said.
"The water is taking the weight off your joints, so you can really do more without hurting yourself," Schmidt said.
About 30 people, ranging in ages from 40s to 90s, are in Schmidt's class. The group drinks coffee together afterward, eats breakfast together monthly and has formed strong friendships. Ourecky said the classmates became her support group when her husband died two years ago.
Ourecky recruited Sharon Cerveny, her friend of 30 years, to join the class.
"I always say, when I grow up, I want to be like Doris," Cerveny, 69, said. "She's a great person, a dear friend and a real sweetheart."
Cerveny said that while celebrating Ourecky's 81st birthday over coffee and treats after a class in April, some of the ladies of the class said the same thing: "Yep, I want to be just like Doris."
"She's a great example for us all," Cerveny said. "Everybody says, 'I can't believe - you don't look that old.' She just keeps so active. Also in the community, in Wilber, she's very active."
Ourecky said that before her illnesses, she was active and ate well, but she has since become even more health conscious.
She said she'll continue to go to the water aerobics classes as long as she can keep driving.
"It will be one of the last things I'll give up," Ourecky said.
Ourecky's advice to someone diagnosed with a serious illness: "Have a positive attitude and you will be OK. Know that you can lick it. And don't be afraid to try things. Everything works better when you're in good physical shape."
___
Information from: Beatrice Sun, http://www.beatricedailysun.com
An AP Member Exchange shared by the Beatrice Daily Sun.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
