Soothing mind, body and soul
CANCER SUPPORT SCOTLAND
Receiving the magical and muchyearned-for “all clear” from cancer must be a moment anyone affected by the disease dreams of. However, the fall-out from such a physically and emotionally draining personal health crisis doesn’t just go away.
That’s what Glaswegian Morag Brierton, 66, found after she received her “all clear” from bowel cancer in 2012.
“I got a severe case of the ‘what ifs’,” she explains. “I ended up with PTSD [posttraumatic stress disorder] and was given invaluable help from the counsellors and therapists at Cancer Support Scotland.”
Located in the tranquil Calman Centre within the grounds of Glasgow’s Gartnavel General Hospital, Cancer Support Scotland strives to offer a different kind of healing for its patients.
While the oncologists tackle the cancer, the charity supports the patient’s mind and soul, soothing away the tension using “feel-good” therapies including massages, reflexology and reiki.
For those who crave some more help to cope with the issues that cancer brings, there are one-to-one therapy sessions, stress management and mindfulness workshops, and guidance in everything from breathing to diet.
Launched just over 40 years ago by Sir Kenneth Calman, former Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, the charity spans the country, bringing “tender loving care” to combat the mental toll of cancer.
It was just what Morag needed. As she recalls: “I couldn’t have got through it without the charity. My illness brought up a lot of things – even going back to childhood. I saw a counsellor for around six months, who really helped. And the massages I received were fantastic – you don’t realise how tense you are. I’d be so relaxed afterwards that my legs would be completely wobbly!”
The experience has given Morag a new outlook on life – now she firmly believes every day is precious.
“I decided I needed to get my affairs in order, just in case. This included updating my Will,” she says.
“As I have no immediate family left, I decided to leave my cousins ‘just a wee minding’, as they say, and bequeath the rest to charities close to my heart, one of them being Cancer Support Scotland.”
Morag adds: “I am not sure how much will be left as I intend to grow old disgracefully and probably waste most of it enjoying myself.
“What I cannot repay them [the charity’s team] for is the help and support I was given when I needed someone to listen.”