A day at Penny Brohn's Cancer Care

I'd orginally heard about Penny Brohns cancer care charity from my friend Lisa. Each year she runs the Bristol 10K to raise money for this amazing charity. I had also picked up some of the brochures that are on display at the Bristol Oncology unit.

After completing my chemotherapy treatement on the 17th Feb 2012 and my recovery over the last four months. I wanted to find out Who was Penny Brohn? What, who, was the charity set up for?
I enrolled myself and my mum onto the one day 'Bristol Approach' Course, a unique combination of physical, emotional and spiritual support.

On Tuesday 26th June 2012 I actually spent the day there and this is what I found out...

We arrived at the Penny Brohn cancer care centre ready for a 10am start. We were directed to the lovely spacious and bright dining area. Hot drinks were available. A plethero of Pukka herbal and fruit tea. Dandelion coffee. Soya, rice and oat milk. All very healthy alternatives to everyday tea and coffee.

In the group were four others. A young woman from Dorset, diagnosed recently with Breast Cancer. An older lady from Bristol also recently diagnosed but with cancer of the womb. She had brought with her, her neice and great niece for support.

One of the key workers at Penny Brohn's came to take us on a tour of the beautiful old mansion house and grounds. On the ground floor were large, bright, airy rooms for relaxation and music. There was a library and a fully equiped art room. We walked to the Sanctuary, a 200 year old barn converted into a peaceful space where you can go and meditate, pray, reflect or just be. I loved the feeling of tranquility that I felt in the Sanctuary. There is no religious denomination here but all or no faiths are welcome. There is also a fully functional demo kitchen and a shop (there is also an online shop)

As we followed our host up onto the first floor, I was truly overwhelmed by what was on offer at this incredible place of sanctuary! We viewed the bedrooms, all en suite with lovely views of the grounds. These bedrooms were for patients and supporters who came for the 2,5 or 7 day retreats. There were massage rooms and one to one councelling rooms.

Our room for the day was the Music room. A large bright room with the most amazing relaxation chairs! We quickly settled in. After brief introductions, Sarah our host for the day talked us through a progressive muscle relaxation session for 10 minutes. I can honestly say I relaxed totally for the first time since my diagnosis.

We then had a presentation on 'What is the Bristol Approach' and the science behind it:
                                                      Whole Person Model
                                                                      Mind

              
                                                  Emotions                      Body

                                                                     Spirit

We then had a 10 minute break and drank lovely 'green' juice. I could taste the celery and spinach.

Back in the music room we discussed; Living well with the impact of cancer. This included:
                   *Reducing stress
                   *Being active
                   *Finding emotional and social support
                   *Eating well
The emphasis on all of these was in the way that is right for you.

At lunch time the dining room was buzzing with the chatter of other groups. Every table was full of happy, smiling, animated people.  Lunch, a delicious, homemade tomato and tarragon soup with wholemeal crusty bread. Mixed salad with a lovely dressing. Roasted, stuffed aubergine with red peppers and quinoa. I thoroughly enjoyed it all!

On returning from lunch we were invited to go outdoors into the grounds and have a 20 minute mindfull walk. We walked alone and in silence. Observing our surroundings and the many sounds of nature. Using all of the senses to be aware and 'in the moment'. The contrast between a 'mindfall walk' and an everday walk was striking. Life is always such a rush and we rarely take time to stop and smell the roses, so to speak!

We concluded the afternoon session with some information on Healthy eating, the services that I can now access at Penny Brohn's and then a closing relaxation session. It had been a very emotional, relaxing and positive day.

To sum up the day, for me it is a place I can turn to for emotional well being. This is what I need at this current time in my personal cancer journey. This is why Penny Brohn, a woman living with breast cancer and her friend Pat Pilkington set up the charity in 1980. The support on offer is fantastic. Any cancer patient at any stage of their journey is welcome at Penny Brohn's. You don't have to live in Bristol or live nearby.

Penny Brohn

If you would like to know more about the charity or make a donation, here is the link to the web page www.pennybrohn.org