How Caroline received Reiki for support during breast cancer treatment

There is no convenient time to be diagnosed with breast cancer, but the timing of Caroline’s diagnosis was particularly difficult. Her husband was being sent to Madrid on a special assignment and she’d been looking forward to the time abroad and the opportunity to polish her Spanish. Now the timing of their trip coincided directly with the timing of her cancer treatment. Since her treatment could not be done in Spain, Caroline decided to commute. And look for extra help.

Caroline was practical enough to know she needed support on many levels. She needed emotional support to heal from the impact of the diagnosis and the anxiety that stalked her day and night. Her doctor warned that many people found the treatment itself to be exhausting, and Caroline would be adding to that with the fatigue of frequent flying. She was concerned about pain and, given her history of sensitivity to pharmaceuticals, she was sure she’d experience other treatment side effects.

Fortunately, her treatment center had a Reiki program. Caroline paired Reiki with each chemotherapy session and doctor visit. Because she was prone to anxiety even on a good day, she made a point to receive Reiki before her chemo. She found receiving Reiki first greatly reduced not only her anxiety, but also her pain.

Caroline weathered her treatment well and finished on time. Once they were resettled at home, Caroline continued receiving monthly Reiki privately. She eventually learned to practice Reiki self-care as a way to protect her health and manage her tendency toward anxiety.