Many of us have heard of, or know someone, who got cancer but was otherwise really healthy; the last person in the world you would expect to ring with the ‘C’ news. Well that’s what shook my world two years ago. My dear Aunt Gabbi who was 62 at the time was diagnosed with late stage ovarian cancer. I was shattered but she calmly said to me at the time: “I am not afraid of dying’. She made me feel better, a gift she always had, and so I replied: “ Ok, count me in, I’m along for the ride.” That ride was profoundly life changing and heartbreaking for me, as two months ago she passed away.
Gabbi was a healthy organic vegetarian, yogi and healer by profession. She never went to a GP or even took a Panadol. She was that sort of healthy. In hindsight she did have early symptoms of bloating for a few years, something she addressed with diet and never thought to get investigated; who knows if her cancer may have been treatable if she had been checked out earlier. It wasn’t until she had irregular bleeding that she went for investigations. Her diagnoses and treatment started immediately: first a hysterectomy and then chemotherapy.
I was able to give her weekly acupuncture through her chemo, and she said it made her feel strong. The week following her treatment she would feel ordinary but managed ok with less nausea than expected and a regaining of energy after 7 days. Along with lots of foot and leg massages and cuddles with my daughter she continued her life as she knew it. Walks in nature, meeting up with friends, lots of healing treatments and even work after a few months. She researched all the healthy advice and followed even healthier diets. I believe that her organic lifestyle and love of food was fundamental to how she received the medicine and later to how she died.
My Aunt followed her own heart with healing treatments. After months of wellness she had a relapse that required more chemo. In the end she chose not to have more and continued with what she believed in her heart to be the best path for her. The last few months of her life were spent in her home. She needed no pain relief, knew when to call her nearest and dearest to surround her with love and goodbyes, and consciously passed away peacefully. It was a blessing being able to share quality time with her and say words of parting.
Waiting for the unknown inevitability and holding back grief was an emotional stretch for me. I bounced between vulnerability and strength and somehow coexisted in both spaces to function in other areas of my life. I had such a sense of peace and relief when my cousin called and said she had gone but the next day the grief swarmed me like I had never known. Such an emotion that deserves and demands respect, I consumed myself in the pain and healed a little each day.
I have learnt so much on this ride both personally and professionally. How my treatment expectations changed and were received along the way from the chemo days to palliative care. How to juggle hope and realism, respect and acceptance. How to be a niece and a carer and to keep love flowing whilst watching a human body and mind expire. I am so proud of how my Aunt kept her heart open and flowed into death as she lived her life. A humbling experience and reminder to get on with what you want in life.
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Early common symptoms of ovarian cancer are also similar to other health issues; abdominal bloating or pain, feeling full after a small meal and frequently urinating. If these symptoms persist or cannot be related to another illness further investigation is required. In my consults I am always looking for red flags; symptoms that need a western medical review. I believe there is a place for acupuncture and science to exist together so we can really understand the cause of our health issues and heal in the most efficient way of our choosing.
Gabbi was a healthy organic vegetarian, yogi and healer by profession. She never went to a GP or even took a Panadol. She was that sort of healthy. In hindsight she did have early symptoms of bloating for a few years, something she addressed with diet and never thought to get investigated; who knows if her cancer may have been treatable if she had been checked out earlier. It wasn’t until she had irregular bleeding that she went for investigations. Her diagnoses and treatment started immediately: first a hysterectomy and then chemotherapy.
I was able to give her weekly acupuncture through her chemo, and she said it made her feel strong. The week following her treatment she would feel ordinary but managed ok with less nausea than expected and a regaining of energy after 7 days. Along with lots of foot and leg massages and cuddles with my daughter she continued her life as she knew it. Walks in nature, meeting up with friends, lots of healing treatments and even work after a few months. She researched all the healthy advice and followed even healthier diets. I believe that her organic lifestyle and love of food was fundamental to how she received the medicine and later to how she died.
My Aunt followed her own heart with healing treatments. After months of wellness she had a relapse that required more chemo. In the end she chose not to have more and continued with what she believed in her heart to be the best path for her. The last few months of her life were spent in her home. She needed no pain relief, knew when to call her nearest and dearest to surround her with love and goodbyes, and consciously passed away peacefully. It was a blessing being able to share quality time with her and say words of parting.
Waiting for the unknown inevitability and holding back grief was an emotional stretch for me. I bounced between vulnerability and strength and somehow coexisted in both spaces to function in other areas of my life. I had such a sense of peace and relief when my cousin called and said she had gone but the next day the grief swarmed me like I had never known. Such an emotion that deserves and demands respect, I consumed myself in the pain and healed a little each day.
I have learnt so much on this ride both personally and professionally. How my treatment expectations changed and were received along the way from the chemo days to palliative care. How to juggle hope and realism, respect and acceptance. How to be a niece and a carer and to keep love flowing whilst watching a human body and mind expire. I am so proud of how my Aunt kept her heart open and flowed into death as she lived her life. A humbling experience and reminder to get on with what you want in life.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Early common symptoms of ovarian cancer are also similar to other health issues; abdominal bloating or pain, feeling full after a small meal and frequently urinating. If these symptoms persist or cannot be related to another illness further investigation is required. In my consults I am always looking for red flags; symptoms that need a western medical review. I believe there is a place for acupuncture and science to exist together so we can really understand the cause of our health issues and heal in the most efficient way of our choosing.
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