Explain by giving Reiki

September 2016: As all of the Therapy appointments offered by Full Circle are recorded on an index by month, and it’s gratifying and exciting to see this Patient Data List has an increasing number of Reiki treatments being given to patients and their supporters.   

It’s been hugely valuable also to offer treatments to any staff members who show an interest and can make time to experience what we’re bringing to St George’s. In addition to continued training and mentoring on the ward, I’ll be offering 4 consecutive treatments to a specialist within St George’s.   

The best way to explain and demonstrate the benefit will always be to give a Reiki treatment. 

Two black biros at all times

August: Having an important bit of information close to hand when we need it can be troublesome. Whether that’s a notebook crammed with valuable medical acronyms or nurses’ handover sheet with complex details about today’s patients, an A4 sized bag is all we can carry around with us.   

Knowing that that I’ll be wearing a disposable apron each time I’m in a patient’s rooms, I’ve chosen an open top bag on a strap which crosses my body.  This may seem like a small detail but I realised, as I was giving a treatment last week, that a ‘back pack’ style of bag was becoming uncomfortable as I was reaching across an unavoidable obstacle to give a Reiki treatment.  I was being careful about my posture from a H&S perspective, but the straps were digging in a restricting my own circulation.   

A cautionary tale, with a very successful outcome today.  It’s helpful to make notes as I go along about length of treatment, any relatable anecdotes or reactions.  By the end of the afternoon, treating 3 – 5 patients, it’s hard to remember the details I want to record with accuracy. 

“2 black biros at all times” – I’m so glad I was warned.  Who could have predicted that 1 will always run out when you need it most.  Today was a case in point.  Mindful of doctors, nurses and other staff navigating the restricted space around the nurses’ station, I had secured both the Clinical Notes from the central filing system and a clean surface on which to lean.  (Before offering Reiki to the patient, I had checked her progress in these notes, reviewing as much as I was qualified to glean about her progress over the past 48 hours – nothing was contraindicated, thankfully.)   

Poised, ready to make my brief entry in today’s notes, I was mightily grateful for the reserve biro.  We aim to be sensitive to the multiple priorities on the ward and to blend in easily, so anticipation’s important, even when it comes to a humble biro.

Offering a sense of balance and support... in blue medical gloves

July: In these early days of visiting patients in their rooms, Raquel and I are shadowing a senior Full Circle Therapist.  It’s inspiring to hear the sensitivity of her approach.   It becomes clear that some of the patients on the ward are ‘old friends’, people with conditions which mean they need multiple admissions as in-patients for their treatment.  Gabriel and the FC team will have been on hand to to offer massage, reflexology etc on previous visits and they’re being very welcoming of Reiki as something new and beneficial to offer.  While often the conventional medical treatments they’re going through may be less than pleasant, it feels inspiring to have joined a team who can offer alternative approached to improve patients’ experiences and support the well being while they’re at St George’s.

As and when, frequently being recommended by our Full Circle colleagues, we’re starting to give Reiki treatments to patients.  A big “thank you” to The Reiki Association for continuing to provide your clear and helpful leaflets which we leave with patients.  In professional practice, my client group are self-selecting, having been drawn to Reiki for many reasons.  With this mixed group of patients, only some are familiar with our practice.  It’s reassuring for these patients, many of whom may be experiencing anxiety and pain with their illnesses, to know that Reiki’s safe and could offer support and a sense of balance they would welcome.  It’s also wonderful for continuity of understanding to know we’re all ‘singing from the same hymn sheet’ – hospital staff, therapists and patients sharing the same information.  We’re keen to be as clear as possible when we offer a Reiki treatment. 

When it first dawned on me that I’d be wearing blue medical gloves when giving Reiki treatments, I felt a bit ‘challenged’. I know Reiki will work through any kind of barrier, so that’s not it.  It’s the practical side that’s going through my mind – won’t my hands become sweaty in the gloves? Won’t gloves feel strange and I treat ‘hands-on’? However, these are such a vulnerable group of patients, that every measure to control the risk of infection is vital. We wear disposable aprons also to keep a safe barrier between us and the patients, as well as masks in some cases.  

No 'ifs or buts'

27th June:  I’m so disappointed today.  I woke with a sense of a scratchy throat, and that’s enough to mean I have to cancel my training today at St George’s. There are no ‘ifs or buts’ – if I’m not 100% confident of my health, I have to stay away.

I wonder if people ever develop phantom symptoms, an overly cautious concern about being ‘fit for purpose’.  However, as the day wears on, it’s clear that it was the right decision.  My immune system’s good and I’ll be through this in a couple of days.

The patients in Haematology aren’t as fortunate since either their conditions, or the treatments for their conditions, often compromise immune system function.  Having put the time aside in my diary, it gives me a window to review my notes.

A year in the making - a proud moment

13th June:  Today feels like a very proud moment.  The lead up to this has taken almost a year, and my Reiki colleagues and friends (Diana, Feona, Georgina and Laura) have worked tirelessly to get me here.   

Yes, I’m finally wearing an ID badge confirming I’m a Volunteer at St George’s hospital in SW London.  I’ve signed in at Reception for the first day of training and induction – excited, if a little daunted, by the 6 months training ahead of me.   

We’ll be looking at admin and systems today – all important record keeping for Full Circle’s perspective, including how they monitor the way treatments are evaluated by the patients.

A year in the making

13th June: Today feels like a very proud moment.  The lead up to this has taken almost a year, and my Reiki colleagues and friends (Diana, Feona, Georgina and Laura) have worked tirelessly to get me here. Yes, I’m finally wearing an ID badge confirming I’m a Volunteer at St George’s hospital in SW London.

I’ve signed in at Reception for the first day of training and induction – excited, if a little daunted, by the 6 months training ahead of me.  We’ll be looking at admin and systems today – all important record keeping for Full Circle’s perspective, including how they monitor the way treatments are evaluated by the patients. 

Commencing six months of training

7th June 2016: I’m spending the afternoon at St George’s today meeting with Suzie Ruggles, visionary director of FCFT – Full Circle are going to be ‘hosting’ me here alongside their established team of therapists.  

This has been a long time in the planning and Suzie’s kindly arranged for me to meet a colleague and leading light in Paediatrics.  I’m keen to share some experiences from the perspective of a professional Reiki practitioner, as they could translate wonderfully to supporting many areas of ‘paeds’.   

Gabby, another of the Full Circle therapists, is going to take me up to the 2^nd floor of St James’s Wing, for my first official glimpse of Ruth Myles Unit, the Haematology Ward where I’m expecting the main part of my 6 month training and mentoring to happen.