PRETTY IN PINK STORY -Faithful and courageous. These are the words that describe Catrena. A cancer survivor who is very positive, hopeful, prayerful, and has a zest for life and learning. We met Catrena at the St. Michael’s Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Women’s Retreat last June.
Her positivity and enthusiasm lit the room. You cannot tell that she has battled cancer since October 2018. A stage 2 double mastectomy cancer patient, with Flap surgeries and breast reconstruction, her story of courage and faith is unique.
During the massage, she tells her story. She told us the details of her experience of such an emotional journey with proofs of photos from her pre and post-surgery. The images were like a badge of honor from burnt skin, stitch marks, and bandages. Her steadfast faith and belief that everything happens for a reason – kept her overcoming one challenge after another. Her most vital support came from her family – mainly her grandchildren served as the strongest motivation and determination to live.
She says she is blessed to have a network/team of physicians, therapists, and all that made her cancer treatment holistic and compassionate.
SPECIALLY CURATED THEME OF OUR MASSAGE – PRETTY IN PINK. Pink flowers such as Zinnia and Rose were the focus of our Pretty and Pink theme massage/spa for Catrena.
Massage – Catrena’s cancer journey caused physical and emotional trauma in her body. A lot of emotions are stored in our body.
Craniosacral: She is cleared by her doctor to receive massage. We began the session with Craniosacral to help her relax and release the emotional stress.
MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage) to help with some water retention in her legs and also to help her lymphatics in the chest /back area. She had 7 lymph nodes removed from her breast.
Balinese body and foot massage: She requested to try something different and preferred Balinese foot and body massage. We used long, slow strokes of very light pressure and use of a lot of aromatics.
Skincare: We used an organic Juelmes’ Virgin Coconut Oil. A particular group of women in the Philippines hand produces the oils from picking and grating the coconut to performing the cold pressed process. This using the oil produced by women is a healing gesture to support Catrena’s cancer journey. The Virgin Coconut Oil is rich in antioxidants, soothing, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory that heals burns and scalds.
Foot massage: Neuropathy is very common in cancer patients. It was essential for us to give some attention to Catrena’s feet. Warm foot bath with lemons, limes, spearmint leaves, rosemary, and rose. We rubbed her feet with Himalayan salt. In Ayurveda, the Himalayan salt promotes energetic cleansing, release, and purification. Spearmint leaves are antibacterial. Lemon and limes are energizing for the body. Rosemary accelerates blood circulation.
Body Massage Oil– The oil we used is coconut oil infused with Jasmine flowers and Rose petals, Bergamot oil and Ylang Ylang oil. Jasmine, Rose and Ylang Ylang are great for cancer treatment. They are relaxing and balances the hormones. Bergamot is uplifting.
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