An article by Anna Kulhanek, San Oncology Massage Therapist

I have been part of the oncology massage program at the Sydney Adventist Hospital for the last 5 years. The service is available 2 days a week - 1 day on Level 6 Poon Ward and 1 day in the Day Infusion Centre. 

The mental and emotional relief a gentle massage can give a patient undergoing chemotherapy treatment is of immense value. Gentle touch is extremely calming allowing the patient to relax, feel safe and is of support to the patient emotionally while undergoing treatment. On a physical level, oncology massage is beneficial for reducing headaches, nausea, neuropathy, dry skin conditions and lymphoedema.

I have had the privilege to work with the oncology patients at the San since 2012. The personal life stories, the laughter, the tears and the gratitude I have shared and received with our patients is very overwhelming and not easy to put in a few sentences.

One young lady stopped me in the hallway on the way to the Infusion Centre and said "thank you so much for the massage the other day, I was so distressed and in pain and had not had a good night's sleep for days. The massage made a world of difference to me."

Another lady undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer at the Day Infusion Unit since 2014 said "when you touch my feet it's like silk, I can drift off in to another place - it makes me feel good and takes my mind off things."

Thanks to the San Foundation this service is available to our patients here at the San. Please give generously to this cause.