Another Touching Story by Susan

I arrive at the home at the scheduled time to provide massage for a cancer patient and his caregiver. Patient is resting so I begin by massaging the caregiver, his wife. We do the intake, start the music, put bergamot essential oil in her diffuser, find the perfect location – at the end of her king-sized bed, get her comfortable and the massage begins. She totally relaxes and doesn’t say anything throughout the massage except when I check in with her. She completely relaxes and enjoys the massage.

Patient is now up and ready for massage. He recently had a bone marrow transplant and is immunosuppressed, so I put on a mask and wash my hands and the lotion bottle well.  We visit and I learn that his primary concern is piercing pain in both shoulders. I explain how I will provide massage, very gentle because his body is already fighting hard. A heavy-handed massage could put more demand on the body, and I didn’t want him to feel worse. The duration of the massage would be about 30 minutes and I would pay special attention to his painful shoulders. He said, “Sounds great!”

I get him comfortable in the same location at the end of the king size bed with pillows and blanket. I start the massage at the head and neck with gentle strokes and then move to the left arm and shoulder; and then to the right. He relaxes deeply and reports less pain.

As I massage, I’m thinking, I need to show his wife how to do what I just did so that she can provide gentle touch after I’m gone. I ask him what he thinks about my idea.  His eyes light up and he says that sounds great.

We walk out into the common area and the wife says, “I can’t get the smile off my face, I feel so much better”.  I explain my plan and she hesitantly says, “okay”. Patient sits on a bench that allows us access to both shoulders. She washes her hands and rubs some of my lotion between the palms of her hands. Me on one side and her on the other, we both gently massage a shoulder with me giving instruction. She’s hesitant and a little nervous, but we continue to work together – very gentle and very slow using full-hand contact. We continue for a few minutes and the patient provides feedback until we are in sync. Caregiver seems confident after just a few minutes.

Now, she has the tools and confidence to provide gentle touch for her husband to reduce pain, stress and anxiety at any time of day or night. My job is complete! I’m so grateful for the opportunity!