Every so often, you need a little treat. A manicure, back massage, double helping of profiteroles (not sharing)
But there are always parts of you that get ignored, or perhaps don’t get the TLC they deserve.
No TLC for Bert & Ernie
Take Bert and Ernie for example. Since “Resident Evil” became a reality, there’s not been much love shown to these two fellas. Bert is doing okay, but Ernie not so much. With no access to Lymphodema services he remains swollen and red. The scars whilst not hugely visible, are deep and hard, increasing the difficulty of lymph flow.
I hate my lumpectomy scar. It is so hard and deep that there is no point trying to self check as I can’t feel anything. The area is numb and feels like a solid ball underneath my skin. I know in my gut this is not unusual but it worries me a little. It worries me that some of the symptoms of breast cancer are almost identical to the symptoms of breast Lymphodema: enlarged breast, redness, hard skin. Not pleasant. I haven’t even been assessed by the Service yet so have no idea what I can myself to help.
I had some leaflets sent to me, but with arthritis in my shoulder, its kind hard to do what the diagrams wanted. I was assured several months ago that someone would ring me in 6 weeks to make an appointment for a face to face meeting. I appreciate that there are people far more worse off than me, but I just need some guidance, someone to diagnose, to tell me what I can use to help. I have, however, seen both my oncologist and breast surgeon so I have had some reassurance that it is “just” lymphodema.
Looking after the outside scars
So when the opportunity came up for some scar therapy I jumped at the chance. The lovely Emma Holly at Restore Therapy Clinic uses the Sharon Wheeler method of scar therapy. People attend her training from all around the country and from various different modalities including physiotherapists, nurses and beauty therapists, wishing to incorporate scar therapy into their business. There are courses in various different towns so you dont have to travel to Hertfordshire!
Any scar can be worked on, but there is a further program for those wishing to work on breast cancer survivors. I have volunteered several times before the zombie apocalypse and had various scars worked on including a keloid biopsy scar and keyhole surgery scars from shoulder operations. I knew what to expect but was very excited!!
It is designed to help anyone with scar tissue, fibrosis, adhesions and changes in tissue health following surgery and radiotherapy. Scar therapy works on the under layers of the skin and adhesions, helping to mobilise and soften the skin around the scar. It can be performed on any type of scar even if it’s many years old. It’s painless and in my experience very relaxing.
An afternoon of bizarre bliss
So off we popped to a local hotel for the training. Me, Bert and Ernie. I knew what to expect to a degree but also knew Covid would have changed things. In order to follow the guidelines, this meant that there were less trainees and-less volunteers. But we all had our own space in a large conference room, made comfortable and looked after. I had two lovely ladies working on me, Michelle and Leila, switching a half time.
Don’t get me wrong, there is something a bit weird about having another woman tenderly caress your breast – in a room full of other people – but it’s so professional and discrete you are able to forget where you are and look forward to the end result. Lots of different movements with fabulous names that just feels blooming wonderful.
What was even more wonderful was the difference by the end of the 1.5 hour session. Fibrosis underneath the breast almost gone, soft and mobile. I can feel without a doubt that the skin and flesh under my lumpectomy scar is softer, less rigid. Ernie is less red and look like a breast! I was also lucky to have some lymph drainage at the end of the session and given some movements to do myself.
I left feeling really uplifted, not quite realising how much it had been getting me down.
It is such an awesome therapy and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
Scar Works works!
