Hi I was wonderng if anyone has any experience of this organisation. Are they any help. I have secondaries and I want to help myself as much as possible. If I can find some techniques to enable me to reduce my painkillers that would be great - they make me feel very tired. Just a bit weary about getting caught up with folk that are too hi vibe and totally anti medicine.
Your experiences would be welcome.
Cheers Jacqui
Hi Jacqui
I went to the Introduction Day at the PB Centre and was very impressed by the sense of relaxation and calm that there is there. On the Intro course there was a mixture of people (with and without their partners) at various stages in their cancer ‘journeys’. They take you through all the services that they can provide, do some relaxation techniques, and provide lunch. They are very hot on the health properties of food and provide cookery demos too. However, they are only promoting this as additional to conventional treatments, and there was no suggestion that people should abandon their existing treatments. I guess some people do, but then that’s their choice.
I haven’t been back, but that’s only because I had primary cancer that is now in remission and have been coping OK - but I would certainly go back if I got recurrences and felt the need of additional support.
In order to use any of their services you have to attend the Intro Day first and I don’t think you’d have anything to lose doing that. It’s all free - they accept donations, but there’s no mention of that or any pressure to give anything.
Sara x
Hi Jaquie
I attended a three day introductory course there back in September 2010 when I had just finished active treatment. I found it as Sara says a wonderfully calm and relaxing place to be. They didn’t push anything on you and left you up to make your own mind up about any changes you might want to make in lifestyle/diet. They certainly did not suggest in anyway not to take up conventional treatments. I found some of the sessions really helpful to me in moving on after treatment. We were taken through how to meditate, use imagery, relaxation techniques and stretch and breathe exercises. We also had cookery demonstrations and individual sessions with a dietician ( who gave you detailed diet and supplement advice tailored just for you) a doctor (advice on complimentary medicines to help with any residual se’s etc) a psycho analyst and a healer (reiki).
There was a mix of age ranges on my course and only one man who was a partner. Some people were still going through active treatment and some did have secondaries. Others like me had just finished treatment for primaries.
I would definitely recommend them. They do not charge and I was suprised that donations, though obviously welcome, were never mentioned.
Pam x
Hi Pam and Sara
thank you so much for your feedback - it is really helpful. I will definitely go ahead and apply for a place on the Introductory course.
I hope all stays well for you both and you have no need to returen but the fact that you feel you would is an excellent advert .
Good wishes Jacqui
Thanks for this information. The macmillan info centre at my hospital gave me one of their diet booklets and I was interested inthe residential course. You have inspired me to go for it. I have changed my diet but feel I need professional reassurance that I’m making the right changes. People in the US forums talk about their integrated oncologist supervising special diets but we don’t seem to have those.
Hi Jacqui,
I am going to the PB centre on Tuesday 26th to attend a 2 day Wellbeing course (Weds & Thurs). It was recommended to me by a friend who attended some years ago so I’m off to see what I can learn. I am looking forward to it and hope to learn some techniques regarding meditation and also some pointers on nutrition. I will report back at the end of the week.
Helen
Dear Jacqui,
I have just returned from PBCC and have got a lot out of the 2 day Living well course. I agree with Sara and Pam that the Centre in Bristol is very calm and the people I met were very friendly and supportive. The residential accommodation and food was of a high standard and the course well delivered. No ideas are forced on you - you take what you need/want to introduce into your own lifestyle. I would certainly recommend them. Give them a call and see what courses they can suggest for you - I was told that they are now delivering shorter courses at different locations around the UK which may suit you better.
HI Jacqui
I do have experience of the Penny Brohn Cancer Centre and highly recommend it to anyone and everyone involved in this cancer journey. They advocate complimentary approaches alongside conventional medication. I have found their approach incredibly helpful and still practical.
Good Luck! Hope you find it equally rewarding
Sandra