Sorry I haven’t been putting any posts up for a while. I’ve been struggling with a lot of fatigue, emotions and have been sleeping a lot.
I have found accessing the specialist complementary therapy services have really helped me manage the exhaustion and many of the other symptoms.
Due to the lymphatic spread of cancer, many relaxing, pampering treatments such as massages and facials are contra - indicated. Many therapists will not treat you due to the potential risk of spreading the cancer cells. Also, due to the removal of my axillary lymph nodes specialist massage therapists can only be used.
There have been many times over the past few months where a lovely relaxing massage or facial would have been such a help, especially when this has been an extremely stressful and debilitating few months. However, of all the times in my life where I feel the need for a relaxation treatment it hasn’t been possible.
The great news is that I have found a couple of cancer charities that offer sessions of complementary therapy; this can include adapted massage techniques, reflexology, aromatherapy, Bach flower remedies and Bowen technique. These are provided by specialist therapists trained to work with cancer patients. The therapies are also free, funded by charity donations.
Several weeks after my surgery I started a course of reflexology through Action Cancer. The opportunity to properly relax, and feel pampered was amazing. My emotions were really heightened during this period of time and I seemed to be crying A LOT!! The treatments really helped me cope with this. It also had the carry over effect of helping my sleep pattern improve. I slept much more soundly after it, which no doubt helped me cope better with processing the events that had happened.
I can’t praise the service highly enough, the therapists are so gentle, kind and considerate. They gave the correct balance of empathy and advice about fatigue, sleep and emotions. They tailored the sessions to my individual needs, it’s nice to be choosing what I want to focus on.
Over the past months it feels like I have lost a lot of control over my own life. Hospital appointments are issued, you attend and the treatment is given or investigations are completed. Having to stop work and being unable to teach my Pilates classes has led to a loss of identity and definitely a loss of confidence for me. Alongside this is the impact of being unable to do the things you enjoy, like go to the cinema, or out for dinner, or even go to the gym. It is the combination of all of these factors that makes me feel I have temporarily lost control.
However, with the complementary therapy appointments they are trying to give me back some sense of control again. It may seem so minor, but being asked “what would YOU like to focus on today?” or “when would YOU like your next appointment?” just makes me feel like I am regaining control again (or at least for the duration of the appointment!) Small steps!
Alongside Action Cancer the Macmillan centre also provides a complementary therapy service, all cancer patients can contact and request some sessions from both of these charities. I definitely recommend them.
Below are links to both Action Cancer and Macmillan if you wish to make a donation.
