Media backgrounder - on the road to recovery

Media backgrounder - a personal story on massage for people living with cancer

(Jointly issued by the Saskatchewan Massage Therapist Association and the Canadian Cancer Society)

Sherry Fisherwood, a mother of 4 girls, is a licensed journeyman hairdresser and director for Mary Kay. She has lived in Regina for 8 years and was recently married this summer. In June of 2007, 2 months before her wedding, Sherry discovered a lump in her left breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following surgery for a double mastectomy and removal of lymphoids in her left arm, Sherry woke to acute pain and the inability to move her arm. In pain and unsure of what to do, her fiancé suggested Sherry try massage therapy.

Guylaine (Guy) Loiselle, originally from Gravelbourg, graduated with a diploma in relaxation and advanced massage therapy from the Western College of Remedial Massage Therapies in Regina in 1999. Guy, a member of Massage Therapist Association of Saskatchewan Inc (MTAS) has had a vast experience with clients of all ages and medical conditions including, infants, athletes, cancer patients and diabetes patients.

In June 2007, the two meet through a mutual acquaintance.

Sherry – Right after the surgery I noticed a problem. I wasn’t able to move my left arm. I couldn’t get dressed, take a shower, I couldn’t even pull my arm away to put on deodorant. The pain wasn’t something I was expecting considering it was my breasts that had gone through surgery.

Guy - I met Sherry and her fiancé on June 1 when she was having her bandages changed to asses her and see if she was a candidate for massage therapy. She still had her drainage tubes in from the surgery.

I discovered Sherry was suffering from something called muscle cording from the removal of her lymphnoids. She was basically suffering from frozen shoulder.

Sherry – Our first appointment was June 5. Guy came to my house because I couldn’t even sit in a car. Every little bump hurt and I can handle a lot of pain.

Guy – We started out with a basic relaxation massage to get her muscles to relax. We laid Sherry on her side and worked around her shoulder blade and rotator cuff. The initial treatment was good. At the second treatment there was some sore tissue and muscle spasms, which is not unusual.

By the 3^rd treatment Sherry had made a terrific breakthrough, just a few days before her wedding she was able to open her arm and lock her elbow. Although it was painful for Sherry she continued her treatment twice a week to keep improving her range of motion.

Sherry – I then went for my 6 week check up and my doctor commented on how well I was doing. I was feeling great, I have always been a positive thinker but I was very full of hope.

Guy – At that point we started working on the scar tissue from the drains. We didn’t touch the main incision area from the surgery because it ran directly across her mammary tissue.

Over 18 treatments later Sherry is back to 100% mobility of her arm and the scar tissue where the drains were inserted is almost indistinguishable.

Massage is a complementary therapy, which means that is used together with conventional medical treatment. People living with cancer should talk with their healthcare team to see if it is appropriate for them to have massage therapy and to ensure that they receive the proper care.

Sherry – Some of the treatment hurt and it was uncomfortable but I knew it wouldn’t be a walk in the park. I couldn’t have made it through this without Guy. It wouldn’t have been pretty, I probably wouldn’t be able to use my arm or it would be in a sling. I want other people to know about the benefits of massage.

Guy – I want to emphasize that this treatment was good for Sherry. I was also able to provide some support and weekly encouragement. Other people considering massage therapy should make sure the therapist they select has some experience and is comfortable and knowledgeable enough to know how to treat a cancer patient. It’s very important that not just everyone do it. We (MTAS members all have a minimum of 2200 hours of education and continue our education throughout our career. It is imperative that the therapist understands the risks and concerns when dealing with clients who have cancer.

Sherry – ’07 was a roller coaster of a year. I couldn’t have guessed what would have happened. It was a horrible year but in a way it was a great year. My daughter got engaged, I got married. But I did lose my hair and that sucked but I got some great wigs.

Guy - Being there for Sherry and her feeling comfortable was one of the most emotionally moving experiences I’ve ever had.

Last modified on: 10 December 2009