Caregivers Corner:
Nurse and Reiki Master, Pat Iyer, Is a Partner in Healing

Friends often become key members of the caregiving team. Whether you are a spouse, family member or friend-- it is important to support patients/survivors as they make their choices in healing. You can do this by helping survivors find and access the conventional and complementary therapies they have faith in. As Dr. Michael Lerner suggests (see resources), survivors are policymakers who map out uniquely personal treatment plans. When caregivers respect and facilitate survivors' therapy decisions, they become true partners in healing. In addition, exploring complementary options while dealing with conventional cancer treatments and side effects can lead to physical, spiritual and psychological empowerment-- not only for survivors, but for caregivers, too. Read Pat Iyer's inspirational story of support and friendship to see why this is true.

For many years, I was a nurse in a busy medical-surgical setting at Norwood Hospital. My job made me no stranger to serious illnesses like cancer. However, in March 1991, when my sister-in-law Vicky, who was only 41, was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer, the devastation the disease can cause really hit home. Our family was in shock at Vicky's diagnosis because initially, she didn't seem that ill.... Then everything happened at once. Tragically, her disease was far too advanced, and her treatment became palliative as her health care team and family concentrated on making her remaining time more comfortable. Vicky died peacefully, 3 months later, on July 12, 1991. It was my 36th birthday.

My deep grief over Vicky's death, combined with my stressful job, really started to aggravate the pain I had been suffering from migraine headaches. Fortunately for me, the Mass State Nursing Board requires its members to take continuing education classes to maintain licensing. Rather than study an aspect of conventional medicine, I decided to educate myself about a complementary therapy. I began to study Reiki, which has Eastern roots, and is a form of energy healing. Reiki involves the placement of the healer's hands above certain parts of the recipient's body to release and direct energy. This stimulates the body's natural healing abilities and can also help reduce stress and build the immune system. In my case, it definitely alleviated my migraine symptoms. Initially, I practiced Reiki on myself exclusively. Since I was not involved in clinical nursing during this time period, I did not consider using the technique on anyone else. But that soon changed when Janice McGrath, my colleague and friend, needed my help.

Janice and I met when we worked at Riverside Community Care. I was the Director of Elder Services and she was the Director of Mental Health Residential Services. We connected right away. We were kindred spirits who laughed and chatted about a myriad of subjects, and just plain had fun. When Janice was diagnosed with breast cancer and needed radiation and chemotherapy, we were both concerned about maintaining her comfort, good blood counts and stamina during treatments. We tried Reiki. The healing energy generated by frequent treatments helped Janice to relax deeply, and had the added bonus of allowing me to participate in my friend's recovery. When Janice had complications, we addressed them with Reiki sessions. For instance, chemotherapy treatments that were going to being canceled due to low blood counts ended up happening. With faith and energy, we were somehow able to make her blood counts rise!

While Janice was undergoing her bone marrow transplant at Beth Israel Hospital, I felt helpless. She was very ill. Because she was immuno-supressed, visitors were limited, and my friend couldn't be physically touched. Although Janice didn't know it then, I was practicing Reiki on her from a distance for the entire period of her hospitalization. This was my way of giving her whatever I could.... Today, Janice is not only a survivor, but also a thriver, and we both believe that Reiki contributed to that.
Many years have passed. I have returned to a more clinical practice as a nurse and have continued to grow as a Reiki practitioner and educator. Janice's love, support, and confidence in my practice have inspired me to use my Reiki skills to help many individuals with cancer (and other medical and emotional issues). Over the past three years, two very close friends of mine struggled with the rigors of treatment for lymphoma and pancreatic cancer. I am pleased to have been able to provide healing and support for them during their illnesses.

As an educator, I have taught Reiki to many health care professionals. I know that this gentle, healing practice, in conjunction with other treatment modalities, can be extremely beneficial to cancer patients who are in therapy. And since it promotes a holistic balancing of the body, mind and spirit, it can also give cancer survivors a strong sense of wholeness and well being.

Pat Iyer is currently working as a Public Health Nurse in Randolph, Massachusetts. She practices Reiki at Open Doors in Braintree, MA . She can be reached there at 781-843-8224, or via email: ramblingrose35@aol.com.

Enter Our Caregivers Corner Contest

Nominate a very special person to be the NECCS Caregiver of the Year by writing a 400-800 word letter telling us the story of your nominee. Why is your nominee a caregiving hero? You don't need to be a great writer to enter this contest. We may use your letter as the basis for a story about your nominee which will appear in this column. The individual chosen will be honored at the NECCS Annual Meeting & Luncheon. What a great way for you to say thank you to the loving person who supports your survivorship!
Send letters of nomination to:

NECCS, 6 Strathmore Road, Natick, MA 01760

GIVE THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

When someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer--when you want to encourage a friend or family member in treatment--or thank a special member of your health care team--give the gift that keeps on giving.

Give that special person in your life the gift of membership in NECCS.

Your special person will receive the benefits of a year's membership in NECCS:

• a subscription to The NECCS News
• invitations to NECCS Community Programs, Workshops, Conferences and Annual Meeting
• advocacy efforts on issues important to cancer survivors

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Do You Know?
Getting Started: Questions, Answers, Definitions and Some Advice...
Caregivers Corner: Nurse and Reiki Master, Pat Iyer, Is a Partner in Healing
Dr. David Rosenthal Speaks about the Zakim Center for Integrated Therapies
Chun-Han Zhu: Portrait of a Chinese Doctor
Creative Arts Are Complementary Therapies
In Her Own Words--Survivor Lynn Buckley Uses CAM Therapies
Diet & Cancer: Choosing Wisely to Live Well
Credits & Info