Giving Back
There were a lot of things that got me through Cancer #1
Bacon sandwiches courtesy of my two favourite builders, who took me wherever I needed to go whether it be the hospital, doctors, or to buy a new TV!
Nurse Gill – my Macmillan Nurse, who visited me every couple of weeks just to make sure I was okay and gave me tips on how to get through chemo.
My stars, Dawn and Tracey, who told me what to do, where to go, what to say and looked after me because, well I couldn’t.
Deborah helping me transform my world into anything pink.
Reiki sessions and laundry courtesy of my friend Debra.
And Grove House Hospice.
My Sanctuary
A day hospice in St Albans (Now Rennie Grove) that I was referred to by my GP.
I still remember my first visit, petrified and wondering what the hell was going on and whether I was going to die. Is this what happens? You go to a hospice and never leave?
This place was different. You could feel it the moment you walked in. There wasn’t that Eau d Death that I expected, far from it. It was warm, calm, welcoming. It made you feel safe and at ease, and it had no problem with you being yourself instead of the person you were for your friends and family.
They arranged for me to have counselling for starters and gave me contact details for anyone they thought I may need help from. Unfortunately back then Cancer patients weren’t entitled to any benefits so they couldn’t help pay my mortgage, but pretty much everything else was covered. They provided me with physio after my surgery and treatment for my lymphoedema when it initially reared its ugly head.
Grove House Buddies
The real joy became after chemo and surgery, when I was invited to join a programmed called “Cancer, The Next Step”. This consisted of a group of people who were at various stages of their cancer journey, with a view to getting them back into some normality of life.
It was a ten-week programme consisting of talks in the morning, some form of creativity in the afternoon, interspersed with holistic therapies, a different one each week.
That programme introduced me to many amazing women, a group who spent a lot of time together outside of Grove House, having dinner, drinks at houses, and just chilling with people who got it. Unfortunately, I can count of one hand with fingers to spare the ones I know are still here.
Life goes On
I have been back to Grove House several times for charity and fundraising events, and although it has evolved, it still has that inspiring energy when you walk through the door, that overwhelming feeling that everything is going to be okay.
Which is probably why, some random November evening, I found myself having a browse through their website, hovering over the “Volunteer” tab. I actually didn’t bother looking to see what vacancies they had, I just fired off an email asking if they needed any reiki therapists, fully expecting a no thank you. Insecurities and imposter syndrome all in full swing.
However, the call the following day told me I was wrong. I can’t remember the last time I was that excited!
Several months later, I am now volunteering at Rennie Grove one day a week, providing reiki therapy to patients and carers. The pleasure I get at the ability to give something back to an establishment that helped me, is immense. Enabling patients and carers to get some space and time to relax, or at least try to, is so rewarding and something that is important for everyone’s wellbeing. I love that fact that Reiki is fully accepted as a treatment and offered by the hospice as part of their complementary therapy support, especially as it made a huge difference for me back in the day.
It has also helped me with my own mental health, providing me with a boost of those happy hormones!
Also, I get a uniform!
5 Crystals for overcoming Challenges
Self-care is not selfish, but sometimes it can feel that way. We feel that we must always put others first, whether its family or friends and that we need all our energy to do so. But sometimes we have to be a little selfish. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Do something at least once a week that is for you. It doesn’t have to be a big thing, but something that you can enjoy without feeling guilty. It can be as simple as having a cup of tea in the morning before sorting out everyone else. Saying no occasionally instead of always saying yes. Not answering your mobile every single time it rings.
How to use the energy of crystals for support at home!
Can you spare a few hours?
I have no doubt that there are other hospices and centres that offer free complementary therapies for their patients, and I think it is really a great thing to be able to do.
Rennie Grove in St Albans and Buckinghamshire are always looking for volunteers in many capacities, so please if you have some spare time, do look to see if you can help. There is no pressure, you just do whatever amount you can do!
https://renniegrove.org/volunteer/volunteer
If you wish to know more about any of the therapies I offer and how they can help you, or to book an appointment, please do contact me. https://thewholisticwarrior.com/8zkh
