REFLEXOLOGY AND CANCER CARETWO EXAMPLE CASES SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION TO "REFLEXIONS"
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I would just like to provide some feedback on two cases where I have found reflexology to be extremely beneficial when working on cancer patients, albeit in their final stages of life. Roger was diagnosed with a brain tumour in late 1998 and began to receive reflexology on a regular basis, either from myself or from the hospital he attended. Additionally he followed advice from the Bristol Cancer Centre regarding his diet, drinking water, soap powders, etc. It was during the final three weeks of his life that the greatest benefits of reflexology were really seen. He was lovingly nursed at home by his wife, family and friends and I attended him every day over this latter period with the exception of one or two days when my friend and fellow reflexologist Anne Griffith helped out. On most occasions I would work the hands and feet – depending on what was transpiring that day. Roger loved his treatments and even when he was beyond verbal communication we knew that he was more relaxed and settled. Often I could touch him with reflexology, but carers could not touch him to move or wash him due to his pain levels. The practice nurses caring for his medication needs were very interested in and supportive of the role that reflexology was playing, and would often delay their decisions about increasing or changing drugs until after a treatment. He was on a low dose of epilim (anticonvulsant), hyacin (anti-sickness) and diamorphine for pain relief. The overall opinion of the nurses was that at the end Roger was on relatively little medication compared to what they would normally have expected. For example, one nurse told me that she would have expected him to have been on anything up to 900 mg diamorphine – and perhaps more - but he was only on 250 mg when he died. Whilst at each treatment I would always work his whole being over a combined hand and foot treatment, as his condition changed each day so I would focus on those areas that were causing most concern. His lungs and kidneys were key areas for attention, especially towards the end and it would seem that reflexology had a role to play in keeping his lungs relatively free from a build-up of fluid, and keeping his kidneys functioning. Again the nurses might have expected to use more drugs to try and maintain and support other bodily functions, but these were not necessary. The fading away of the body into death can be a long and slow process – and hence even more heart-breaking for those around. Apart from his cancer, Roger was a strong man and he drew even more strength from his caring family. There were crises of confidence in what was happening which were only natural. Whilst Roger was conscious, we were aware of any pain and distress, but once he entered a semi-conscious/unconscious state, how did we know what Roger was feeling? Was the medication sufficient? Was it too much? Was the reflexology keeping him alive? Questions about medication were not pertinent to me but the latter question about whether reflexology was prolonging the process was an interesting and important one. Instinctively I knew not but nevertheless it was an important question which needed me to apply my heart and thoughts and respond responsibly to those raising the question. Unfortunately where there is great inner strength, it can take days and weeks for the physical body to die. Where there is not death by fatality, I believe there is also a need for the mind and emotions to let go and accept a new future. Equally important and possibly the more difficult, is the need for family and friends to let go and let their family member/friend move forward into a new place. Reflexology healing can bring the peace and stillness needed to allow this process to take place. It can and does reduce the overall suffering of the individual which will reduce the distress of those around. Roger’s wife quoted that the doctor and nurses had commented on how remarkably calm and pain-free Roger seemed to be – something they couldn’t understand. Reflexology healing can only support this whole process and help allow death to happen in the most natural way possible. Roger died in the early hours of Father’s Day, 1999. Keiran
was 3 years old when, in June 2001, it was discovered that he had a tumour
on his left adrenal. This was
removed and followed with high doses of chemotherapy.
Keiran’s parents did everything they could to help improve his
health: buying organic food, watching everything that was used around him.
Keiran received some specialist acupressure therapy which helped to
stimulate his own immune system to fight the disease and gradually
Keiran’s health began to improve. During
the summer of 2002 it looked like Keiran had won his battle.
He was full of energy and was back playing outside with his
brothers and friends – a new bike being a favourite toy.
However, after a tumble from his bike which damaged a leg, it was
discovered that the cancer had returned in the bone marrow.
Keiran’s health deteriorated quite rapidly and it appeared that
there was little that the medics could do.
I was approached in late November to see if I was available to work
on him at home, where he was being nursed by his parents and family, with
the help of a specialist nurse (
At
the first treatment, it was difficult to assess any reflexes due to the
excessive heat and oedema. I
continued visiting every day, lengthening my treatments as I monitored
Keiran’s response. Within
two visits his parents and grandmother commented that Keiran seemed much
calmer. At the 5th
visit I began to work both the hands and the feet and continued in this
manner for the rest of the treatments.
On the 6th visit the burning had reduced and he almost
felt cool. Keiran’s Mum
checked his temperature which was normal, but his whole body was no longer
burning. His agitation was
also still reduced. By the 11th
visit Keiran’s energy was very low which was reflected in his reflexes.
Occasionally his pituitary gland reflex would be apparent, or his
kidneys or lungs. The reflexes
for his testicles were always spongy.
As part of my treatment I always focused on flushing the lymphatic
system to try and reduce his oedema or at least stop it from getting any
worse. He was on high doses of
medication through 2 syringe drivers (mostly pain relief and
anti-sickness, sometimes with 2 drugs used to boost each other or deal
with side effects). Apparently
this is quite normal in children as they need and can take more medication
than adults, as perverse as that may seem.
However, The
last two or three days were extremely stressful for all the family, as
both parents were by now very tired, having hardly slept for a weeks.
At most visits I worked Keiran and one parent, alternating at each
visit where possible. They
both found this very supportive as independent of all the stress they were
under, both had neck, shoulder and back problems from having to lift and
carry Keiran as the requested hoist failed to arrive until it was too
late. Keiran had by now been
more or less unconscious for 4/5 days and they were finding the lack of
communication and physical, loving contact very difficult, questioning
whether the medication was right, especially whether the tranquillizer was
necessary. What was difficult
for the parents to accept was that it was not the tranquilizing medication
which was keeping Keiran unconscious, but the fact that Keiran was now
fading away. At my 17th
visit, on 16 December, I was there for approximately 3 hours as I
supported Keiran and his family through a very distressing crisis.
At heart they knew he was going but had to make the final
acceptance of this. As the
parents distress grew so did Keiran’s, during which time I simply sat
and held his solar plexus, probably for a period of about 30 minutes.
After about an hour Keiran
died in his parents arms just after It is my sincere belief that reflexology brought great benefit to both Roger and Keiran – and to both their families. There was evidence of reduced requirements for medication generally, and particularly pain relief. There was evidence of other body systems not failing or getting into difficulty thereby causing additional problems. And the benefit of bringing peace and calm during such a difficult time is probably one of the greatest benefits. Roger and Keiran taught me so much and I am extremely grateful for having been given the opportunity to work with both of them. From a practical point of view it is a big undertaking to visit on a daily basis, not knowing how long the final stages can take and having to adapt your normal daily life around these visits. However, one of the things I did learn was how important it is to the patient’s family to have this level of continuity during this difficult time and how important it was to have a back-up. On both occasions Anne Griffith MAR supported me and was able to step in and treat Roger on a couple of days when I couldn’t make it. Although this wasn’t necessary with Keiran she did accompany me on a visit so she could meet him and his family and likewise they would know her if she had to come out in my place. There are two occasions in my working practice when I do not set a charge – when assisting at the birth of a child and when supporting into death. This is always a difficult area but these are very special times and what charge can be set? And yet a lot of time and effort is given – and real expenses can be incurred – visits to Keiran involved a round-trip of 15 miles. However I feel the rewards are far greater than any financial gain and I have the time and flexibility to be able to work in this way. Keiran’s surgery generously donated £50 to cover my petrol costs as they had just received a grant from Clic (Cancer and Leukemia in Children). Additionally, whilst working with people who are dying is emotionally very rewarding, it is also emotionally very difficult, even more so with little children and it is important to be clear that you can cope with that undertaking. The time spent working with Keiran and Roger was extremely special but I don’t deny that working with Keiran in particular was also one of the most difficult and I was grateful for some very good listening support from Anne and another fellow reflexologist Debbie Hilder (MAR). I am always eternally grateful that I learned the healing art of reflexology and have found it a tremendous privilege to be able to use it to assist and guide into a new beginning. |
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