My Nonprofit Reviews

I was diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer in February of 2009. It was stage III b and that was after being x-rayed, examined, and biopsied and told I had no cancer. I was in shock. I was overwhelmed, afraid, angry, and feared that I would not be around to take care of our beloved 3 grandkids with my husband Ralph. I wanted to scream, cry, punch something, and run away. But I couldn't. I had to stay and fight. The fight lasted more than a year and ended in March of 2010. First I had strong chemotherapy to shrink the cancer so I could get clear margins with a mastectomy. I then had a double mastectomy with many cancerous nodes removed. I had 35 days of radiation to my chest wall and under my arm....this was a second radiation. Finally I chose to do 16 more weeks of another aggressive chemotherapy.

A few weeks after my diagnosis I met Betty Ann Baker from Healing Touch Buddies. I went to her office and entered a world of caring, serenity, safety, and healing. I would come to Betty Ann anxious and often in tears with my heart racing, engulfed in fear. I would lie fully clothed on a massage table and close my eyes. The room was dimly lit with soothing music playing and a hint of lavender in the air. For about an hour Betty Ann healed my body and soul with the trained touch of her hands. I would leave the session almost in a trance. I was relaxed, calm, and ready to face my fight.

I could call or email Betty Ann anytime and she would listen to me, reflect my feelings and fears in a way that gave me self understanding, and quickly schedule a healing touch session for me. When I was too weak and fatigued from the chemo to come to her office she came to my house. Betty Ann worked with my surgeon and gave me a book about preparing for surgery before my double mastectomy. Everyone in the operating room voice positive affirmations during my surgery. On the morning of the surgery, Betty Ann was there at about 6 AM and stayed with me, doing healing touch, until I went into surgery. She was there when I came out of surgery too.

Betty Ann loaned me meditation tapes which I continue to use almost daily. She was a constant in my life in a time of disconnect and the unknown. Betty Ann cared for my body, spirit, and mind. She connected with me heart to heart....spirit to spirit. Betty Ann will always be my "friend." Surviving breast cancer is work, as I have discovered. I am sure that I will be calling Betty Ann again to help complete the healing of my body and spirit. What Betty Ann gives is from her heart....it is an act of unconditional love and caring.

Sue Drinkwater

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