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  

My Week in pictures...

So...how was my holiday?

Sunny...

Picturesque

Interesting

Historical

Relaxing

Fun

Natural

Breathtaking

Tranquil

Hope you enjoyed sharing my week with me?

Race For Life 2012

Last Sunday along with my mum, my friend Sharon and her daughter Katie, I did the Race For Life in Bristol.

The weather was overcast but dry. So lucky, as it had been torrential rain all night.
We arrived at the Durdham Downs just after 10am. Heart Radio were pumping out some old school tunes to get everyone raring to go!

The official photographer meandered amongst the crowd snapping the amazing outfits worn by some of the participants.

After a good warm up the runners headed off to the start line. Then the joggers. Next up was us, the walkers. Finally the wheelchairs and buggies.

A sea of pink surrounded the edges of the Downs as far as the eye could see. It was a very emotional and poignant moment for me and my loved ones. Mum and I had stood here before waiting to walk the course to raise money for Cancer Research UK. We had shed a tear at some of the heart breaking back signs on the women in front of us. We too had worn our signs with our loved ones names written clearly for others to read. This time my name was amongst the thousands of names on the thousands of women's signs.

My list had far too many names on it. Survivors, fighters and those who we remember fighting bravely but not surviving. I wished as I wrote each name that they were not on my list, that I did not know them because of cancer.

I did the walk in 1hr and 12 mins! I surprised myself...I thought I would take at least two hours. We had joked that mine would be the Hobble for Life!

I felt so pleased when I passed the finish line and collected my medal. It was a milestone for me. I had come full circle. Unable to go to last years Race for life as I was too ill. A week later, exactly a year ago Friday 17th June 2011, I was diagnosed with Bowel/Colon Cancer. What a difference a year makes!

With the three events taking place in Bristol over that weekend, Cancer Research UK would raise approximately £500,000. I'm so grateful for all my sponsors who helped towards this remarkable amount. It really is All of us Versus cancer!
  

Down on the Harbour

On a bright and sunny Wednesday afternoon I took my dad for a lovely walk along the Harbour in Bristol. Of course we had all been for walks along the Harbour before as a family but dad was really surprised how much Bristol had changed! The new developments of bright office blocks such as Hargreaves & Landsdown and HBOS. The brightly coloured apartment blocks and the beautiful houses on the waters edge.

We started our walk with a look down the River Avon towards Brunel's Suspension Bridge.

As we crossed over from the River Avon we headed to the Harbour via Underfall Boat yard. The Underfall yard is a historic boatyard situated on Spike Island. It serves the Bristol Harbour. It was locally known as 'The Underfalls' the name taken from the underfall sluices. The original construction was early 19th Century with some changes made by Brunel in the 1830's. Most of the buildings here have been given English Heritage status. They are listed buildings.

The views across the Harbour as we walked along were dotted with brightly coloured houses and apartments high above the Harbour. John Cabot's tower could also be seen rising out above the trees that surround it.

Finally we arrived at our destination. The extremely impressive SS Great Britain!

We sat basking in the sunshine surrounded by this iconic ship, drinking a latte and enjoying this busy waterway in the City that I love. Bristol.

And the winner is...

So I asked you how you would like to spend the day with me. The choices were, at work, at the spa or in my garden.

The most popular choice was... A day at the spa.






Atkinson's Spa House!







Before my beautiful cousin Lora and myself went along for our pamper afternoon, we went for lunch.
We opted for one of my favourites.









Strada!

Yummy...

After my lovely Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli and Lora's delicious Lasagna, we went to the spa.

The Pedicure

The Manicure

After two blissful hours spent relaxing whilst having feet and hand massage and paint we needed CAKE!!

Where else to go for truly scrumptious cake and tea...Papadeli's my all time favourite.

A Day with me...

I'd like to invite you to spend the day with me (a virtual day in Blogsville) its going to be a gorgeous week of sunshine and warmth.

You get to choose.

A day at work...

A day at the spa...

Or...a day in the garden...

What would you like to join me in doing? Leave your answers in the comments box and the most popular will get the blog of choice.

Pack your bag, we are going out for the day!

Hi Ho...Hi Ho...

1st May 2012. May Day, in more ways than one!

 I had to go back to work!

Am I ready for this?

Will I get all emotional when faced with my work colleagues?

How will they react towards me after a whole year without me?

A myriad of questions like these buzzed inside my head as I drove to the office.

The car park was chocker - the first challenge - where to park! Walking along the path to the main entrance I met someone I recognised from the 6th floor. He said 'Hello' as if he had seen me only yesterday and carried on his way.

Once inside I was greeted by a skeleton staff within our team. I work in a large building on the 5th floor. All open plan with various departments all set out in a large square.

Everyone was very quiet and slowly came to me to say 'welcome back' and give me a hug. It was lovely to see my dear friend Sharon. She had cleaned and prepared my desk for me.  "Lets make a cuppa" she said with a warm smile, I knew she was making me feel safe. Before I knew it I was back in the saddle so to speak.

I'm doing a six week phased return. Part time for six weeks and working from home when I can.  My biggest problem is the Peripheral Neuropathy (nerve damage) that I have in my hands and feet. Ive found holding the telephone for too long and using the mouse is causing cramp like spasms in my hands. Ive asked the Occupational Health GP for a 'Green Badge' which is like a Blue Badge for disabled parking but only temporary. I can then park close to the office building as the path leading to the main entrance is a disused railway track and a conservation area for butterflies. Its a little uneven.

Ive almost completed my first week back. The trepidation I felt was to be expected but it has been ok so far. Its the initial step of walking in through the door that's the hardest part. The next challenge will be attending the many meetings that my day usually consists of and trying to stay awake!