Patient Healing comments

I am writing to give my personal recommendation for the use of reiki on cancer patients  

In October 2006, whilst 31 weeks pregnant, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and my legs were completely paralysed due to multiple plasmacytomas on my spine.  I had to have my baby delivered early, had two major spine operations and was then at University College London Hospital for 5 months having radiotherapy, chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

During my stay at UCLH I had weekly reiki sessions and I found these extremely helpful.  Along with other complementary therapy treatments such as reflexology and massage, reiki was a therapy which was offered to cancer patients at UCLH alongside the conventional medical treatments.  I personally found reiki a powerful and effective way of relieving stress and relaxing at what was a particularly stressful time in my life.  It had an amazingly powerful impact and helped me to focus my thoughts and energy in a positive way, which really helped the healing process.  I also found it extremely helpful in mobilising myself.  Alongside my daily physiotherapy sessions, I used the reiki sessions to visualise myself walking again and to direct energy to my legs.  I'm very pleased to say that contrary to what most doctors predicted, I am fully mobile and walking unassisted again, and I truly believe that the reiki sessions played an important part in my recovery.

I would highly recommend the use of reiki in any hospital on cancer patients - or indeed any patients - alongside the conventional medical treatments.  The complementary therapy team at UCLH were very flexible and worked round the doctors and nurses so as not to disrupt any of the medical routines.  I am sure that my recovery was greatly assisted by them.

I would be happy to talk further about my personal experience if that would be helpful to anyone considering the use of reiki.

Yours faithfully,

Maryam Mehrfar.

Emma Norman – Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (diagnosed September 2005)

"The complementary therapy team have played an instrumental part in my treatment. They have worked in parallel with the clinical staff in caring for me from start to finish, and beyond. The team have not only ‘complemented’ my clinical care but have played a vital role in providing me with the strength to fight my disease head on. I was unaware that having cancer would be just as much of an emotional as well as physical journey and the team have supported me throughout. With their help I have felt empowered, in control and above all safe."

Patient comments

Patients' Comments during and after reiki sessions at UCLH

I've been lying here all the time thinking that I'm going to die. Now I feel lifted and my perspective is totally different - like I'm not going to die now.

It's like valium without the pills. Please can I have it on the hour every hour!

I've just had the smoothest, deepest, most relaxing sleep I've had in years.

I feel my connection to my faith again, thank you so much.

That was a very profound experience, I feel in control of my own healing now.

I felt ‘waves' flowing down me, incredibly soothing for the pain, and my mind.

Your hands are incredibly hot, how do you do that?

The operation site had been feeling completely numb, when you put your hands on I could feel the nerve endings jumping about as if they're re-connecting.

I had been so anxious about the cancer recurring. After the treatment my body felt better, my mind brighter and I felt the loveliest feeling spreading all over me.

Before treatment: ‘I'm sorry I'm a sceptic and I don't believe in all this stuff. OK I may as well do it as I've got nothing else to do.' After treatment (looking stunned and completely relaxed): ‘I'm sorry, I had no idea. Please can I have some tomorrow?'

The pain went within minutes of your hands going on.

I had the feeling of being held very safely. It put me back in contact with myself.

I was so depressed but woke from the reiki feeling happy and optimistic.

The pain and stiffness in my neck and shoulders has eased and warmth has spread everywhere.

Please come back as soon as you can after my operation.

I felt all my worries rise to the surface and disperse.

It helped me cope with my operation.

It's fantastic. I've been telling all my relatives.

I can't believe you got my husband to sleep! Can we take you home with us?

Can't believe the lasting pain relief I've had in my jaw.

Hi , I'm the sceptic, can I have another treatment please?

I forgot you were there and had many conversations in my head where I sorted a lot of things out.