Cancer: Emotional Care

When the doctor told your mother that she had cancer... What was your reaction?...

... the radio presenter asked. 

“I was shocked! Horrified!  I couldn’t believe it!!” a young woman replied. 

She immediately went on to say … “The moment my mother received her diagnosis of cancer, the huge wheels of the UK's National Health Service (NHS) began to turn, and all the medical-teams and carers were put in place to look after my Mum's physical health”.

Do you recognise this situation...?

This was a snippet of a conversation I heard on a radio programme recenlty. It’s not portrayed to say that the NHS (or any similar heath care organisation) is doing a bad job – not at all, far from it! They are busy taking care of people's physical health and saving or extending lives as we, as a humanity, fight this dreadful disease. I’m only highlighting what I am told is a common feeling by patients and from family members who come to me for emotional help.

The young woman went on to say...

... that her mother was cared for well by the NHS but, in this day and age, when there is so much talk about ‘Mental Health’ (really, they mean emotions that are so intense and severe we don’t know how to deal with them) she was surprised that she wasn’t given any help at all in this regard… not even a simple flyer with a few basic methods of coping with this devastating news. 

As you can imagine, there I was, driving along the M25 motorway, talking back at the radio... (yes, I know!)... giving Bach Flower Remedies advice to this young woman on how she can cope with the shock and trauma of her mother’s cancer diagnosis, and also how the remedies could support her with the care of her mother over the coming months.

And that got me thinking...!

Why not make that advice available for you… just in case you’re in a similar situation, or you know someone who is?  So, below I've provided some general Bach Flower suggestions to get you started. These are both for those who have cancer and for the family members supporting them.  In some cases, they need the same remedies to help balance disturbed emotional states and in some cases the remedies will be different... but here's a start!

Please note that the Bach Flower Remedies heal negative emotions.  They do not stop or interfere with any medical drugs. There are no side effects: nor can you overdose on Bach Flower Remedies. There is no suggestion here that they can directly affect the physical cancer disease. The remedies focus on healing emotions and calming emotional distress.

Bach Flowers for those with the cancer diagnosis

Rescue Remedy – which includes Star of Bethlehem (for shock and sadness), Rock Rose (for intense anxiety) and Impatiens (for irritability).
Crab Apple – The Cleanser: the feeling of something horrible in you, you want to ”get it out”!
Centaury – the feeling of weakness.  
Willow – why me?
Red Chestnut – anxious about family.
White Chestnut – stops repeated thoughts going round and round.

You may also feel like nobody can possibly understand what you are going through, that's only natural and you may feel intense loneliness.  If so, try reading my blog on loneliness - it may help.

Bach Flowers for those caring for those with cancer

Rescue Remedy – which includes Star of Bethlehem (for grief) and Impatiens (for irritability about slowness of information / progress).
Willow – for being angry when treated unfairly: leads to complaining, bitterness.
Oak – for carrying on, even when exhausted.
Pine – for feelings of regret: feelings you could have done better.
White Chestnut – Repeated thought patterns.
Red Chestnut – for anxiety of loved ones.

You may also like to read my blog on 'care for the carers'. The burden of caring for somebody else is not a light one, even though we are doing it willingly and with love, we are human too and need support. This blog is dedicated to taking care of the carers so that they may continue to be the best version of themselves and to continue to provide the precious gift of care. 

Some video guides to help you!

I have a few video guides, which include some of the remedies mentioned above and also a video on how to take the remedies, which might be helpful if you've just come across the Bach Flowers.  CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW to open a new page with the guides. 

A bit more on the Star of Bethlehem (recomended above as part of Rescue Remedy)

Star of Bethlehem - this wonderful remedy is for shock and trauma and grief. If it's the remedy that you need, like all the remedies, they are fast acting.  Star of Bethlehem is included in Rescue Remedy. 

You are not alone...

In this wonderful world we have many ways to seek help... reach out and seek help in the way that suites you best - I'm here to reassure you that there will be someone out there to help you through this...

How to Take Bach Flower Remedies...

In a small glass of water, mix together 2 drops of each of your chosen remedies (up to 6 remedies maximum) and sip that water throughout the day and evening. Frequency of dose is much more important than the quantity.

Here is a video that tells you the way to take them, it's a quick watch  - just a couple of minutes long...

Over to You..

I sincerely hope this blog post has helped you in some way. Please leave your thoughts and comments (for me, for others... or even just for yourself) and of course feel free to ask any questions too.  I will always help if I can.

Rose

What to Do Next... 

I hope you have found this information helpful and that you see the immense power of the Bach Flower Remedies.

Although the Bach Flower Remedies healing system is extremely powerful... it can be tricky to get the nuances and pick just the right remedy (or remedies)!  

There is much to learn and if you are just starting out on your voyage of Bach discovery, then that's very exciting for you... and you have a few different options: