Complementary Therapy to lift your mood
This morning I had the pleasure of meeting Linda Brown, a proud and chatty Northumberland farming lady who has lived in Hartlepool for the past 20 years.
Linda is 63 years old, has 4 children and is grandmother to eleven. She has a diagnosis of cancer of the ear and was struggling to control her pain so spent some time in the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit for symptom control earlier this autumn.
“Linda is a lovely lady who enjoys a good chat. The treatments have helped to lift her mood but has also helped to reduce swelling in her feet.”
Emma Sanderson
Once Linda’s pain was under control and her radiotherapy treatment was under way, Linda returned home. To support her during this return to home she was invited to use the Day Hospice service each Wednesday where there are social activities which are supported with clinical care from the Hospice team.
Throughout her time in the Hospice Inpatient Unit and Day Hospice Linda has been enjoying weekly treatments from Emma Sanderson, Hospice Complementary Therapist. Whilst in the Inpatient Unit, Emma visited Linda to give her a manicure and paint her nails, this has continued during her visits to Day Hospice. She has also had Reflexology treatments.
Linda said, “I love my weekly treatment; it’s so relaxing, and the Reflexology isn’t tickly which I thought it would be! Emma has been using various aromatherapy oils, the ones I can remember are Sweet Orange, Geranium and Lavender; Lavender is my favourite. Each week my time with Emma lifts my mood; I feel good and we always have lots of laughs and experiment with all the different colour nail varnishes.”
Emma said, “Linda is a lovely lady who enjoys a good chat. The treatments have helped to lift her mood but has also helped to reduce swelling in her feet.”
Linda added, “I have really enjoyed Day Hospice, there are always people to chat to and I love feeding the Hens, Martha is my favourite and is very friendly. I love animals and it reminds me of my childhood on the farm.”
For more information about any of the Hospice Services visit our Patients & Carers section of the website or contact a member of the Hospice Team on 01429 855555.