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November 26, 2007

A Friend In Need

I was home to visit my family for Thanksgiving this past week. My mother's best friend, whom I have known nearly all my life, has cancer. As a result of her chemotherapy, she is developing edema. My mother has felt helpless to provide what she feels is real assistance to her friend during her time of need. So I was happy to perform lymph drainage on Mrs. C, not only to reduce her swelling ankles, but also to ease my mother's anxieties.

There was a part of me who needed to work on this lady, who has been so close to my mother all these years, to see with my own eyes what kind of shape she is in. Though she is weak from the ordeal, her her face looks the same as always, she has a sparkle in her eye, and she is in good spirits. The tumor in her abdomen has developed to the point where it has cut off its own blood supply. The doctors have her undergoing chemotherapy because they believe they can cure her. Part of the tumor has wrapped itself around the blood supply to or from the liver which, I believe, may be causing the resulting edema.

Sometimes, as bodyworkers, it is important to act as emissaries of the industry to people and families in need. Some things are easy enough to teach family members to do the basics. So while I was working on Mrs. C, her daughter and granddaughter were there receiving hands-on instruction with good feedback from the "patient" about whether their touch was similar to mine.

I'm happy to report that the lymph drainage actually did help the tightness in the ankles. My mother said she could see the difference after an hour of work. Mrs. C said her ankles, which previously had hurt to move, were much more comfortable.

tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health cancer massage lymph drainage

Posted by linda at November 26, 2007 7:47 AM