Christine says St Michael’s has helped her cope during her cancer treatments
Christine Cambridge is in no doubt about the positive impact St Michael’s has had on her life.
Reliant on a wheelchair after breast cancer had spread to her bones and later her brain, she was introduced to Beatrix and our wide range of complementary therapies. Massages, exercise, acupuncture and Seated Tai Chi followed, and combined with the chance to talk, be heard and reflect, helped rejuvenate her in a way she didn’t think possible.
“I love coming here, and always leave with a real bounce in my step,” said Christine. “It just refuels my positivity.”
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, Christine later discovered her illness had spread. “It got to the point where I couldn’t walk, but I just thought it was arthritis. But then I spoke to my oncologist who said my spine could collapse because it was so weak.”
This news meant Christine had to stop activities she loved such as gardening.
She was introduced to a Macmillan Nurse. “This nurse listened and let me cry. I didn’t have to worry about her response. It was one of the most important things she did,” said Christine. “It just helped get all the emotion out.” It was then that complementary therapies offered by St Michael’s were suggested, and Christine initially started receiving massages. “They really helped me, but it was the talking therapy side of these sessions which was so beneficial, too. I remember speaking to Karilyn, who I see for acupuncture, and those chats really helped me out of denial and into acceptance.”
Last year, our Therapy Lead, Siobhan, was advising Christine on physical exercise when she noticed she still wasn’t walking properly. So, Siobhan ensured she was ‘strapped up’ and in no time her posture improved. This happened around the time that Christine was experiencing regular headaches. “It turned out I had several brain tumours. I knew I didn’t want radiotherapy because of the potential impact on my brain, so I opted for a new medication. This has helped clear the tumours, but I believe my improvement is a combination of the new medication and my positive approach to life, something St Michael’s holistic approach has been instrumental with.”
“The Hospice gives you an environment which allows your body to deal with things. The acupuncture, for instance, takes away the pain. It helps me minimise my stress because it deals with the anxieties in my system, and maximises my endorphins. The Seated Tai Chi sessions on Zoom with Beatrix have been so helpful too. I learn something new every week. I call it a conscious, mindful, mental workout.
“My husband, Richard, has been such a great support. He has had regular chats with Kate, one of the Hospice’s Occupational Therapists, in relation to making structural improvements in our garden to make it easier for me to spend time out there. It’s also important to me how much St Michael’s has supported Richard. There are many therapies open to carers, such as the listening and talking therapies, which is something neither of us could have imagined when we were first put in touch with St Michael’s.”
As well as being free of brain tumours, Christine is able to walk again – and enjoy her gardening once more.
“Without these therapies, I would probably still be in a wheelchair,” she said. “They give me a spark when I’m feeling fragile. St Michael’s has helped me believe I can do it. Quite simply, all the amazing individuals at the Hospice helped me cope through the gruelling cancer treatments, and helped me maintain my positive outlook on life. They’re the reason I’m living my best life today with a huge smile on my face. I can’t thank them enough.”