At the risk of embarrassing Gayle MacDonald, this post is all about her. And others like Gayle, whom we credit with making us the professionals we are today.
Cindy says: Unbeknownst to her, Gayle became my mentor in 1999 when I stumbled upon the first printing of her book, titled Medicine Hands; Massage Therapy for People with Cancer. Understand that there was no one else in my world at that time saying it was okay to touch people with cancer. I knew in my heart that this was my calling, but I did not know where to turn for guidance. Gayle’s book gave me the courage to embark ever so tentatively on the career I knew I was meant to have. Medicine Hands was my defense against those who said it could not be done, and my textbook as I sought to do it responsibly, safely and effectively. I read and adhered to every single word. In 2008, I finally got to meet Gayle when I took her class in Ft. Worth. It was like meeting a rock star. Like Tina Turner. Only better.
Susan says: Gayle likely doesn’t realize it, but she is my hero! Shortly after obtaining my MT license, I attended an oncology massage course at MD Anderson in Houston. I learned enough in Houston to know that I wanted to pursue oncology massage, and it was there that I first heard about Gayle MacDonald. As soon as I returned home I contacted Gayle and the journey began. I completed a 300-hour Oncology Massage Training at the Peregrine Institute for Oncology Massage, for which Gayle was an instructor. A reflection paper was required in one of my classes and I wrote about my experience as a caregiver for my sister during her two-year battle with Stage 4 colon cancer. It was this reflection paper and Gayle’s gentle nudging that helped me put the pieces together. She helped me realize my true purpose. My life has never been the same and I credit Gayle for the impact of this experience on me and my career. I love her dearly as a friend and mentor.
It was Gayle who, out of the blue, suggested several years ago that the two of us teach end-of-life massage to others. WHAT??? We scratched our heads in wonder. Gayle dropped that little breadcrumb, which we followed to the present day. She remains a trusted sounding board for Final Touch Training. As newly-minted teachers, we learn every time we assist with Gayle’s classes. She is brilliant. Truly. And she’ll be back in Ft. Worth in early February. If you haven’t taken Gayle’s class, you won’t want to miss it.
Other mentors have contributed in countless ways to our knowledge and skills.
Registered nurse and massage therapist Valerie Hartman was Cindy’s first hospice massage teacher. It is impossible to separate the way we do this work from the things Valerie has taught us. Her gentle spirit follows us into every patient encounter, and our course content on stages of dying is based on her incredible work.
Tracy Walton has generously responded to our queries about the peer practice clinic, which has become the cornerstone of our hands-on training. Tracy’s group also taught us a trick or two about propping which we use on a daily basis. Walton and Associates are the real deal!
Our hospice teammates – including RN Sandi Hebley, Dr. Alex Peralta, Nurse Practitioner Deb Rice and countless others – continue to teach and inspire us. Not a day goes by that we don’t ask questions on the job. We are good learners, and we hope this helps us to be good teachers.
We urge you to pick your teacher carefully. They will mold you in ways that you can’t quite imagine yet, at least that’s how it has been for us. May you be blessed as we have by mentors who light the way to the very best you have to offer.
