Reiki - FURTHER UPDATE

[Mindysooty]

Ok, so this may be totally unrelated but just been back to hospital and my neutrophil count has more than doubled and is the highest its been by quite a margin since I started Ibrance! Was at 0.7 last week and has never been higher than 1.2 and its up to 1.9 now. Obviously could be coincidence but these 'coincidences' seem to be stacking up.

Means I can restart Ibrance and stay on 125mg. Yay.

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A few people asked for an update so here goes.

So Ive just got back from my session. As I expected, I did find it hard to clear my mind but I persevered. The lady giving Reiki told me not to worry too much as its bound to happen and it takes practice - just to focus on the soothing music if I found my mind wandering.

As she started the process, she gently cradled my head and I soon noticed a sort of pressure feeling. I wondered if it was just with laying down but as she moved along my body - barely touching me - it followed wherever her hands were. I also noticed that her hands became very warm, almost hot. Now, Im not sure if I imagined it but I started to feel it more intensley where my mets were, particularly my chest (chest cavity mets and chest lymph nodes too). It was a weirdly 'nice' sort of pressure/pain.

After the sesh we chatted and she told me she (or the energy) felt drawn to my right hand side, interesting because primary bc was right boob, mets in right lung and pain from L1 mets radiates to my right hip and down my right leg. Id not given her that info before - maybe coincidence, maybe not.

She asked how I feel and I was very honest. Ive not had any epiphanies, I dont suddenly feel all things zen, inner peace etc BUT I definitely feel theres something in it with the energy flow etc. Like everything else, I think its something to work at and its my belief than any healing from it will come from within yourself. Its not like a physical fix, more like clearing of emotions allowing your body to work on healing itself. Whether its from some universal energy flow or psychological, well I dont know, but if it works neither do I care.

I intend to do it for 4 or 5 sessions and see how I feel then and if I feel its working, I'll do the self reiki course.

Have a good day everyone xx

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Im giving reiki a go tomorrow. Has anyone done it before? Im not 100% sure it will be for me but want to open myself up to as many experiences as possible and Ive read such a lot about a number of holistic therapies; just not sure I know how to fully switch off and relax. I did try meditation but the cat kept meowing and putting me off 😂😂😂🐱.

[nstonerocks]

Adorable kitty! I was skeptical but agreed to let a social worker give me a session. I don’t believe in fairies and pixie dust — well maybe fairies — but I felt so calm and centered afterwards. I don’t know how, but I would definitely do it again. Hope it helps you too.

[Mindysooty in reply to nstonerocks]

Ah thanks thats interesting. Im hoping to get some kind of inner peace from it. Im always on the go and think Id benefit from true relaxation.

Ps kitty is the Sooty half of Mindysooty. He's a right lazy old cookie 😆

[Maludagui]

Hi 🌺 When I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2010, my oncologist recommended Reiki. I did it once a week. Your cost in Venezuela was affordable. When you arrive in Texas in 2013, try to continue with this practice. I found it very expensive because for an hour they charge $ 75. I did it once and did not return.

But I tell you that the experience is wonderful. Wear comfortable clothes and preferably nothing with any metallic part. It is a healing technique. I have a lot of faith. It's one of the most de-stressing moments I've ever lived. I love. 🌹 Then you tell us how it went. Enjoy the moment 😍

[Mindysooty in reply to Maludagui]

Hi, oh what a shame it's so expensive where you are. Its around £30 per hour where I am which I think equates to around $40 so almost half the cost.

Thanks for the tips on what to wear. I hope i get as much out of it as you seem to have done, I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks x

[Stage4Gir]

Hi,

I discovered a charity called Unite for Her in my area, near King of Prussia PA, that gives women with BC 12 sessions of Reiki or massage or acupuncture or therapy for free over a 6 month period. I tried the reiki first and have been using all 12 sessions for that. My practitioner is also an oncology massage therapist too but mostly she does reiki with some foot massage. It is very calming and I always say I’m not sure if it’s the Reiki or the fact that I can lie in a darkened room with spa music playing for an hour that makes me feel so zen afterwards. Let me know what you think. I too have trouble calming my mind but she does it every time!

Debbi

[Mindysooty in reply to Stage4Gir]

Hi Debbi, we've got something similar with the free sessions and I have acupuncture there. They do reiki but theyre only open during working hours so Id have to miss more time from work (hoping to get back soon). Work have been so good to me so I dont want to take advantage - we have loads of time out for all the other medicals dont we, so Ive decided to go to one Ill be able to do out of core hours.

Sounds like you definitely benefit from it - Im hoping it works the same for me. I so wish I could switch my mind off and just completely relax so fingers crossed this might just do it. Thanks x

[Mindysooty]

Absolutely. Im the same Sandra, but so many people seem to find a lot of comfort and healing from this so Im very curious to try it. The lady Im seeing is also a tutor and apparently you can learn to perform it on yourself. But one step at a time. I'll report back later to let you know how I get on. Xx

Ps have you tried acupuncture for your spine? I have it and its really helped with my L1 and hip pain. Also it helps with my breathlessness. May be worth a shot .xx

Pps Sooty is so funny, a right mischievious little cookie. He was a stray my hubby tamed and he's definitely his baby.

[Hidden]

Awww Sooty is adorable, all hairy round the edges!!!

Do whatever you can to chill girl.

I am sure you will enjoy it. 😌

[Mindysooty in reply to Hidden]

He's a fluffy hairball lol.

Definitely enjoyed it. X

[Hidden]

I had Reiki at the Sunshine Room at my hospital while waiting for my oncologist. I left feeling relaxed and centred. I went in with a headache and cane out without one. Even if feeling relaxed is the only benefits then that so good.

[Mindysooty]

Oh boo. Thats a shame. I bleed a bit from it and bruise but nothing excessive. Well, it might be worth giving Reiki a shot then as it's not invasive. I'm still on the fence a bit but there were definitely some strange feelings going on so I'll keep going. I dont think it would be a quick fix for your pain, rather something more subtle I think over time. X

[Stoli]

My 1st reiki session was before I was diagnosed with BC, actually the reiki therapist was treating my husband who had colon cancer and suggested since I was his caregiver she wanted to extend to me. She never charged my husband as she extended her services to patients who were diagnosed with cancer and my session was also free. I'm the type of person that doesn't like to let my guard down. But let me tell you after that hour session I was an emotional mess. It was a good release that I guess I was holding in for so long. I can't say enough of what a good feeling it is and when you are done you can't help but think what just happened? I've had a few sessions since my own diagnosis but right now I am getting reflexology treatments and love these sessions as well.

I hope you have a wonderful experience and try and let your mind flow with it for best results. Good Luck

[Mindysooty in reply to Stoli]

So pleased it had such a positive impact on you. Mine wasnt such an intense experience but there was definitely 'something' happening. Hopefully the more I go the greater the effects will be. Thankyou for sharing. X

[lynnhbtb]

Sounds like a good experience for you? In any case, I"m a stage IV MBC patient and have been Reiki trained, levels I and II for 15+ years. I am a believer. I don't know if your practitioner explained anything, but basically Reiki is universal healing energy that flows from the universe (some call it by other names), through the one giving it to the receiver. You will get what you need. Sometimes when I perform it my hands are hot, sometimes they are cooler or even cold if that's what I need. I give myself treatments almost daily.

If there's a training around you, you may want to consider getting trained yourself, so you can do it at anytime. Just a thought.

Also, one of the big hospital and medical institutions here in San Diego, CA has implemented a Reiki training and treatment program for patients. It's more mainstream than one would think. But, there are more alternative/complimentary treatments available sometimes in California than other parts of the country.

All the best.

[Mindysooty in reply to lynnhbtb]

Hi Lynn, the lady I went to is called Lynn too 😆. Yes she did explain thanks and she's a master/teacher. She explained to me about doing it myself and mentioned the stage 1 course. Im definitely interested but would like a few more sessions with her first. Incidentally I've just got up (7.30 a.m. GMT). Went to bed early (for me anyway) at 10.20 p.m. and have slept right through, almost unheard of for me. That may be one of the subtle effects from my session.

I've read about some hospitals implementing Reiki which I think is marvelous, just the fact that theyre willing to accept something a little different is so encouraging.

Thanks for your support.

Lucky you living in CA. I travelled around America many moons ago now - 1989 Eek!. Should have been flying to San Fran but there was a humongous earthquake so flew to LAX. Terribly green with our back packs on, like sitting ducks lol. Ended up spending the night somewhere very dodgy hahaha. It got better though - we bought a camper van and visited some lovely places.

Take care.

X

[mariootsi]

I had a reiki session once but couldn't seem to relax. Probably should give it another try!

[Mindysooty in reply to mariootsi]

Thats my problem but it takes practice so will give it another few goes. X

[Kimr2081]

I have not tried it but your post made me want to. I am scheduling an appt with a woman who does Yoga Therapy. I think it follows along those same lines in clearing your mind, breathing and bringing a calm to your body. I think we all need that. Thanks for sharing.

Kim

[Mindysooty in reply to Kimr2081]

oh I've not heard of Yoga therapy before but yes, anything that brings calmess I feel would help. I'm coming to the mindset that the Ibrance and Letrozole can deal with the "fighting" and any alternative thereapies I try can work on my mind enabling my body to do the "healng"; effectively coming at it from both sides.

Best wishes.

Josie

[Kimr2081 in reply to Mindysooty]

I agree. My mind can go crazy sometime and anything I can do to help myself from going down the rabbit hole is worth a try.