Eucalyptus and Lemon

Today I have been for an aromatherapy massage. Anything that helps me to be less stressed and more balanced has to be good. I was given details of the ‘Supportive Therapies Unit’ that is linked to Canterbury Hospital. This info was in my ‘Welcome Pack’ given to me on my first meeting with the oncology consultant. I have used their services many times over the course of the last year and have availed myself of Reflexology, Reiki as well as Massages. All very enjoyable! Shiatsu and Indian head massages were also available. Acupuncture was also on offer but for some reason I have gone off needles! So today the choice of oils was Eucalyptus and Lemon as the therapist thought I needed to be uplifted rather than relaxed. I think it is amazing how all these different essential oils have such different effects on one’s mood. The first 4 sessions were free for either myself as a cancer patient or for my husband who is my carer. Needless to say he refused! Subsequent treatments are at a subsidised fee. A friend who attends a large hospital in London has 12 free sessions!

I have copied this paragraph from the Cancer Research UK website

‘Many cancer clinics and hospitals in the UK now offer patients aromatherapy massages free of charge. So always ask your nurse or doctor if this is available where you are having your treatment. If not, they may be able to direct you to a voluntary organisation that offers complementary therapy treatments free or at a reduced cost. Look at our complementary therapy organisations page for organisations that can give you advice about where to get an aromatherapy massage.’

There is more info available on Complementary Therapies on the Macmillan website.

I was talking to another cancer patient who did not know of these services – she lives in a different Health Authority and she was delighted to find that such services were indeed available to her so maybe my blog entry today may help others too.

Thanks for popping by today. Tess x