7 minute read
Hypnotherapy
NO AMOUNT OF HAND WASHING, SELF-ISOLATION, SHIELDING OR SOCIAL DISTANCING WAS GOING TO CHANGE MY DIAGNOSIS OF BREAST CANCER…
Salomons based hypnotherapist Karen Martin’s regular column in SO usually centres around the topical issues affecting all of us in day to day family life but this month it is focused on her own personal experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer during lockdown. Here, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness month, she shares her story of being diagnosed and positively looking to the future…
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Having always prided and pioneers in the care and myself on being treatment of cancer patients. ridiculously healthy. I I don’t know whether wasn’t too concerned Coronavirus slowed down the when, mid lockdown, course of my treatment but the the morning sunlight streaming wheels seem to turn very slowly through my bedroom window when you have tumours growing highlighted a tiny little dent. A inside you. What, at first, appeared quick Google revealed I’d better to be small and quickly fixable was get it checked, just in case. revealed to be more complex. I
That’s how, a few weeks later, I was first diagnosed on July 8 and found myself sitting in a tub chair in had surgery September 4, after a ‘bad news’ room at Pembury multiple tests and meetings to Hospital with a box of tissues, a discuss findings and agree on surgeon and a Macmillan nurse. treatment. We’re all masked up. Faceless. To me, that was an eternity of Their expressions of kindness uncertainty. The antidote to and compassion, hidden. my impatience was Mine of shock and fear, suffocated. “I am far from work. Focusing on other people’s
No amount of alone and have problems gave me hand washing, been blown away by respite from mine. self-isolation, shielding or social the love and kindness As always, hypnotherapy distancing was of those who are close benefits me as going to change the by and able to offer much as those who diagnosis of breast cancer. For the first support” seek my help. And as news slowly spread time in a rackety and amongst family, friends reckless life of assumed and colleagues, I was able to invincibility, my survival was in the come to terms with the reality of hands of an overstretched NHS - in the situation. the middle of a pandemic. Since diagnosis, Covid
When life changes in the blink of safeguarding measures have made an eye, it’s easy to lose sight of the life much tougher than it would big picture as the tiniest of otherwise be. Catching the virus concerns became magnified would have potentially devastating through the lens of anxiety. Thus I consequences so I’ve had to stay discovered myself to be a very close to home, just working, impatient patient. If I couldn’t sleeping and eating for now. My control the disease or its treatment, son went back to uni early, I I wanted to know why, when, haven’t been able to share my where, what and how. Right now. daughter’s joy at owning her first Challenging advice and demanding flat by helping her to move in, I information, it took a while to dawn can’t see my elderly parents who on me that I was in the best of are heartbroken and beside hands. World class hands. Experts themselves with worry. Birthday celebrations and family gatherings have all passed by without me. Most of the tears I have cried have been over the absence of the people I love the most.
DEVASTATING
That said, I am far from alone and have been blown away by the love and kindness of those who are close by and able to offer support. My partner has given me a free pass to be indulged and looked after by whatever means he can. Previously independent and self-sufficient, I’ve never felt more loved than in this time of vulnerability.
Just like Covid, cancer has potentially devastating economic consequences. For the first time in my working life, I’ve had to cancel
clients and take time off. I was fortunate to be able to continue to run a reduced hypnotherapy practice online during lockdown. With many clients waiting to see me in person once restrictions were lifted, my diary was full for several weeks ahead by the time surgery was scheduled and I had to shut up shop. Self-employed and a single parent, my income has taken a double hit this year. I’m so grateful for the Self Employed Income Support Scheme and the flexibility of my landlord at Salomons. Yet more blessings to be counted in adversity. Now, my hopes are for a speedy return to full health so I can rebuild my business and get on with living life to the full.
Of course, that aspiration is only possible because of the outstanding treatment I am receiving on the
October is Breast Cancer awareness month, so we’ve included a guide from the charity Breast Cancer Now. Here they explain the tell-tale signs to look out for and how you can examine your breasts
Info courtesy of breastcancernow.org NHS. With no expense spared. I couldn’t begin to count the cost of the training and wages of the nurses, doctors and consultants, equipment, technology and medication which are being invested in saving just one life in the midst of a global crisis.
SUPPORT
At the time of writing, I’m back home two days after five hours of surgery requiring an exceptional degree of skill and expertise. Histopathology results will determine what future treatment may be necessary so I’ll be an impatient patient for a while yet, testing the seemingly limitless patience of the Macmillan nurse who always calls me back, listens without judgement and explains with clarity and kindness. ENCOURAGEMENT
Over the years, I’ve worked with many cancer patients, helping them adjust to the consequences of this deadly disease and manage the anxiety and pain it causes. This is not surprising, given that one in eight women will get breast cancer. Thanks to incredible advances in treatment, I can reassure them that more women survive to their full life expectancy than die of breast cancer. Most cancers are treatable, if not curable, when they are identified and removed before they spread.
It’s mostly the survivors that I see, though sometimes I work with people who have a terminal diagnosis. Early intervention saves lives and there has been concern during lockdown that cancer
How to check your breasts
Checking your breasts only takes a few minutes. There’s no special technique and you don’t need training to check your breasts.
Check the whole breast area, including your upper chest and armpits. Do this regularly to check for changes. It’s as simple as TLC: Touch Look Check
Touch your breasts: can you feel anything unusual? Look for changes: does anything look different?
Check any changes with your GP Common breast cancer signs and symptoms include: a lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit – you might feel the lump but not see it
a change to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling
a change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look red or inflamed
a change to the nipple, for example it has become pulled in (inverted)
rash or crusting around the nipple
any unusual liquid (discharge) from either nipple
changes in size or shape of the breast
On its own, pain in your breasts is not usually a sign of breast cancer. But look out for pain that’s there all or most of the time. Noticing an unusual change doesn’t necessarily mean you have breast cancer, and most breast changes are not because of cancer. But it’s important to get checked by your GP. screening was being delayed. Despite this, I’ve had routine notifications for cervical and bowel cancer screenings in the last month and will make sure I get checked as soon as I’m fit enough. We can all take responsibility for asking for check-ups and tests if we are worried. That’s why I encourage clients with health anxiety to listen to their fears and seek reassurance from their GP.
And I make no apology for being an impatient patient. I hope to now have the chance to help other cancer survivors thrive from the perspective of someone who knows how truly lucky we are to be alive.
How to get in touch with Karen:
Call: 01892 300 246 Or visit: www.hypnotherapykent.co.uk
