Today is my 4th cancerversary. On the 2nd February 2022 a very good (& excited!) surgeon operated, with a teeny-tiny robot (I visualise a ‘Wall-i’ type fella), and removed my stage 2 cancerous left tonsil. And then proceeded to slice my neck open from behind my ear to the clavical* and remove 37 infected lymph nodes. Thankfully it was successful and he ‘got it all’. However, after, I did need 35 rounds of radiotherapy and 3 rounds of chemo (I only had 2 as my blood count was too low for the 3rd. That was bonus round apparently though. Just to-be-sure, to-be-sure. Well, I am Irish!). I am very, very grateful to all involved (too many to name here) in this process.
For reference, it is my birthday on 1st February. That year I turned 48. That was a quiet one (!) as me and my partner at the time had to isolate for 2 weeks before the op. Therefore I didn’t see my kids for the two weeks before I went in for the op. Damn Covid!
So I know vulnerability. Although I didn’t know I knew it at the time. It took my Clinical Physcologist 12 months after my illness to teach me that. And Brene Brown, who he advised me to watch a clip of the TED Talk she did about vulnerability. I would highly recommend that btw. The Brene Brown clip not the clinical phycologist, unless you really fancy trying EMDR for 12 months…
So after I was ‘all better’ from the cancer and the PTSD I needed something. Something to snap me out of it. Or snap me back into it; real life. Or make me feel normal. Or maybe make me forget I was or wasn’t normal. Or not like everyone else anymore (but then was I ever – is anyone?!).
I was drawn towards massage. Tried several places. Spas, Beauty Salons, Private Practices in someones home. But couldn’t fully relax in any of these places. The only place I looked forward to going to was the Lymphatic Dept in Otley Hospital!? I know, bizarre. It became my Safe Space. I looked forward to these appointments. Maybe it was the funny, laid back nurses. Or the fact that it didn’t feel like it was where ‘a massage’ should happen. Or it could have been the relief of the swelling (temporary lymphedema) happening in the most unassuming place (hospitals where were you went for bad news, appointments about the next operation, or the next treatment, right?). I went in feeling heavy, stiff and achy and left as light as a feather and happy!
The next two years of recovery (mentally and physically) were challenging. There was a lot to navigate with my health and personal relationships. I’ll probably touch on these things in this blog at some point. It was….. ‘interesting’.
But what was where my happy place became a flicker of an idea.
Elysium Beauty Club was conceived.
So, as they say, nothing is wasted. The idea grew and became a reality. I have found my solace in helping others find their Happy Place. Somewhere warm, comfortable, safe, to breath. Relax for one hour a month.
I am passionate about it. I honestly don’t think I have ever been more passionate about anything more. I have a clear goal both for me and the space. I’m in my second year and the ideas for it just keep coming.
I want to go to ‘work’ and help women take a moment for themselves. Away from the world, their world. No matter how much you may love your life and the people around you. We need time to reset. Recalibarate. Just breath. Not think. Of anything!!
And have an amazing massage or facial.
Leave feeling happier and lighter.
There’s no time now to go into how massage helped me, I’ll touch on that next time or as these blogs progress. But here are a few one liners my clients have said. All these women have prioritised themselves an hour a month, 45 minutes or half an hour for the last 12 months…..
It’s my hour just to completely zone out; I won’t compromise now
(Botanical Facial)
It’s taken me 12 months coming to you but I am now able to just let go and get lost
(1 hr Deep Holistic Massage)
It’s only half an hour but it has made the world of difference to me
(45 minute massage)
I just relax as soon as I get into your shop
(30 minute massage)
So I ask you to think about it. How do you reset? Not the gym, not out for a coffee/wine with a mate, not walking the dog. Actually be with yourself, relax and just breath. Learn to be in your own head and then forget you are in your own head… ironically forget yourself; let go.
Do you actually get one hour a month totally to yourself?
