My name is Aimée, and I have had the privilege of caring for people with cancer for over 20 years now. What a pleasure to be asked to talk about an oncology nurse’s perspective on some of the therapies LifeSpark generously provides, in particular Reiki and Healing Touch.
Being diagnosed with cancer causes a serious traumatic experience that can dramatically compromise a person’s psychological and physiological resilience, which impacts their quality of life. This is where LifeSpark comes in and how it plays an important role in providing peace and healing for people with cancer through the support of vital energy therapies.
True to the organization’s vision, LifeSpark has also established important relationships with the medical community in supporting a holistic model of care when treating persons living with cancer.
A few years ago, I was able to participate in a Clinic Trial through the University of Colorado and UCHealth that was specifically targeted to oncology nurses in the use of Reiki to improve our resilience and reduce stress. Fostered by LifeSpark, under the guidance of a trained expert Reiki master, we received and were instructed in how to use Reiki for myself and others.
I will tell you that practicing the principles of Reiki with my fellow oncology nurses was transformative. While I do not use Reiki professionally, I use it for my own self-care and find that it helps me better manage my anxiety, eases my breathing, and calms and centers me.
Being able to share that energy, that life force, not only makes me feel better, but I also firmly believe I am a better nurse.
Currently, at the Cancer Center, where I work in infusion, I administer anticancer therapies. After getting bloodwork drawn and seeing a provider, we are the last stop of a stressful and anxiety-filled day where, no matter how many times a person has been to our cancer center for treatment, it never gets easier. Here is where I see the amazing work of LifeSpark’s therapists. LifeSpark provides Reiki and Healing Touch to our cancer patients at no cost. Volunteers such as Sarah and Marsha interact with our patients to provide energy therapy, which is an essential part of their healing.
An experience I had with a patient only confirmed my understanding of such healing properties. This was a man with metastatic cancer receiving a clinic trial drug that required me to take vital signs frequently before the infusion, several points during the infusion, and for a 2-hour observation period after the infusion. About midway through the treatment, he had a Reiki session. Continuing with the frequent vital signs, there was a marked difference from before and after receiving Reiki therapy.
His blood pressure had lowered, his heart rate was slower, and his breathing was more regular and even. His whole being was calmer.
This was empirical evidence in front of me and remains so, reflecting the calmness and physiological improvement of the energy healing he had received. I see this daily, before and after one of our patients receives Reiki, which is often in the middle of one’s treatment. There is a subtle but significant change in the person’s demeanor. They are more relaxed, which can only mean an improved quality of life, hopefully for more than the ride home.
In short, traditional therapies, in concert with these complementary therapies, can only improve one’s cancer experience and overall quality of life. How grateful I am to witness such care on a regular basis.
Thank you, Lifespark!
(Editors note: This is Aimee’s talk at the Oct 24th Touching Tomorrow Luncheon in Denver. We are grateful to Aimee and all of the other oncology nurses at UCHealth Anschutz Cance Center for their incredible work in caring for cancer patients.)
