Oncological massage (uniteforher program)

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Sorella
Sorella Member Posts: 107
edited November 2021 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

I joined uniteforher which allows free passes for various therapies and supports for those with breast cancer. I wonder if those of you with MBC have tried oncological massage and what your experience may be? I am going tomorrow and looking forward to it though am somewhat nervous. From the little research I have done, I am getting the impression that a lot of this massage is done for those who are in chemo, surgery and/or radiation. I have been through all: 3 surgeries, 12 weeks of chemo, and 3 radiations: breast and two different areas of my spine. Thankfully, right now my treatment is only monthly fulvestrant shots and ibrance. I wonder if the massage is for those not actively in chemo or radiation. If you have had experience with this, can you tell me about yours? Do you recommend it? Was it helpful? Anything you might want to share.

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  • finallyoverit
    finallyoverit Member Posts: 382
    edited November 2021

    I have not and wasn’t aware of the program until I saw your message. I looked over their website and found it very interesting. They did mention that those of us dealing with a MBC diagnosis would be covered by the program. I hope you find comfort in your treatment tomorrow. Can’t wait to hear what you think afyer

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  • Sorella
    Sorella Member Posts: 107
    edited November 2021

    finallyoverit, thanks for your reply. I will definitely let you know. I hope you, or anyone else who may read this can use the uniteforher program. I am just starting but it seems great. My oncologist recommended it.

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  • serendipity09
    serendipity09 Member Posts: 732
    edited November 2021

    Sorella - I have never heard of Uniteforher, but my cancer clinic offers massages for oncology patients through Helping Hands. I'm a huge advocate for it. After my BMX my muscles atrophied and there was nothing that would help. I was miserable. I decided to try a massage and I've been going since (March) and it has helped me tremendously. I had already been in PT for months prior to going for my first massage and just could not get any relief. It was awful. I wasn't even able to reach my back to tuck in a shirt. After about a month of weekly massages I had no problem. I wish there was more research out there on the benefits of massage for cancer patients.

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  • Sorella
    Sorella Member Posts: 107
    edited November 2021

    Serendipity09, I am so glad to hear how much the massage helped you. It is so scary to have our normal capacities stolen away! I had to learn to walk again after impending fractures in my leg and to pee normally after having to catheterize for 9 months. I still have bowel and bladder issues but am so much better than I was. My PT really helped especially pelvic floor therapy. Since I am doing so much better, I almost felt like I didn't deserve the massage but feel differently now. It was so soothing and the therapist was lovely and friendly. I felt like my whole body was mine again. I think they do the massages at my center too but since I entered my program, I will do it at the place I found. It's nice not to be where I get treatment although my team is wonderfully caring. I still recommend the uniteforher program for other things as well. You can get fresh veg from local farms and other things. Finallyoverit, I hope you try it too. Well goodnight ladies

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