Has anyone been on this course. Is it expensve? I really would like to try it. Any comments would be appreciated.
Thank you
The diet appears to be central to the centre’s approach. If you cannot imagine yourself following such a rigid diet (there is little scientific evidence to support it) then you might get more of an uplift from a spa break.
I agree with Holeybones…particularly as I understand the accommodation is pretty sparse…no ensuite bathrooms…let alone fluffy towels
Jane
Many people have found it helpful - don’t be put off! You are not forced into a straitjacket diet, but are helped to select a personally acceptable one. The chief problem is cost, but there are bursaries for those who are financially strapped.
The rooms are very nice and are en suite. The premises are lovely and peaceful. They moved to just outside Bristol recently so everything is new. I haven’t been for a residential course and they are expensive but have been shown round and have also had some of the treatments. As I live nearby this is feasible for me. I had intended to do a residential but the dates didn’t really suit me and now I feel it is a bit late as I have completed most of my treatment.
Good luck
Anne
I went on the five day course earlier this year and it was wonderful. The rooms are quite sparse but they are all ensuite and very comfortable. The diet while you are there is quite strict, no dairy, no wheat etc but the food was really nice and it did open my eyes to what I consume. They do encourage you to follow this diet afterwards but I didn’t find them to be pushy about it. I followed it for a short while myself but found that I really craved dairy so I reintroduced it. The main thing I liked about this course was the emotional support from the therapists and other people on the course, some of whom I’ve kept in touch with. I cried the whole time I was there but it was such a release to let out my overwhelming fears and I felt much more able to deal with my diagnosis afterwards. I would definitely recommend it, it was well worth the money.
Apologies…pleased to hear they do have en siuite bathrooms now. I’d still prefer the spa break.
Jane
Just had a whole lot of info come through from them. If you’re a member of a support group they are doing a special price of £270 (until end of May) for the 2 day residential course (should be £450), or the single day courses are £40 (instead of £60) including lunch
A couple of people from our group have been and said it was really good but I think it boils down to whether you have the money and if you have, what you’re prepared to spend it on
Pinkdove
Hello Pink Dove,
How do you become a member of a support group? Is it the Penny Brohn support group? I would be interested to find out more about this? Are you a member of a support group?
I am really interested in going but 450 is out of my price range.
Any info gratefully received.
thank you
Hi
The Penny Brohn Cancer centre isn’t a support group (it used to be the Bristol Cancer Help Centre).
I am a member of a support group in our area and probably the best way to find out if there’s one in your area is to ring Macmillan Cancer Support and they’ll let you know or look them up on the web. You don’t have to apply to be part of a support group, I tend to say to new members that if they want one of us to meet them just prior to the meeting it’s a lot easier meeting other people. Some people want this and others are quite happy just to turn up and we always make sure that we give new members a warm welcome.
I don’t know how old you are but there are some support groups that are for younger women only. The other suggestion is to have a word with your breast care nurse and find out if there’s one near you. We have an information pack that is given out to all newly diagnosed ladies and details of our support group are within that.
The other thing I would suggest is maybe ringing the Penny Brohn Centre (01275 370 111) and see what they can offer. I agree with you that it’s a lot of money and out of the reach of a lot of people.
I hope you find something that suits you.
Pinkdove
Hello all
I went on a Bristol five-day course two years ago as I was newly diagnosed with secondaries (lung and sternum) and desperate – my mum paid for a large chunk of it!. It was still called the Bristol Cancer Care Centre then but has moved and changed names since. I found it very difficult because I am not used to talking about myself and there was quite a lot of talking therapies etc, I spend the whole time trying not to cry and then breaking down terribly at the end, which I suppose is the point.
I am not particularly an ‘alternative’ person but I am quite open-minded and I found there were some bits of it that were a bit too far fetched for me and others that were great. You do become a very close-knit group and there are moments from there that I will always treasure.
I found the food hard, which I didn’t expect – take some biscuits etc with you, especially if you are losing weight! I have to say I haven’t stuck to the diet I’m afraid.
For me the most important, but also the hardest, part, was meeting the other people. Not all of them have breast cancer of course, and some of them were very ill with lung cancer and, a few months later, died. I have strong and affectionate memories of all of them, however, and always will have. I also wish to thank a therapist who gave me the gift of ‘hope’ and I still carry that with me too!
Perhaps the best thing about the course from a survival point of view was meeting a couple who put me in touch with an eminent surgeon who, a few months later, performed some very difficult surgery on me. Two years after going to Bristol with a pretty poor prognosis there is currently no cancer detectable on my scans, which would not be the case if I hadn’t met these friends. As we all know that could change tomorrow, but whatever happens I will always be grateful I went on that course. You never know who is round the corner for you…
Love to all Justy
Thank you for the information I will give them a ring on Monday.
Is anyone else thinking of going to one on the two day courses?
thankyou
fayjay
Hello fayjay,
I have been looking at the centre and the courses. I am very interested in complimentary therapies and diet as a way to helping me live with secondary cancer and helping me feel as well as I can. At the moment I feel very tired, lethargic and am still experiencing a lot of pain. I am hoping that in the next month or two after some more bisphosphonate treatment that I will feel better - the other ladies on this site are certainly an inspiration. I am a bit put off by the cost especially as I am unsure what I would gain from it I suppose.
I think we chatted in the Tuesday night chat room for secondaries so if you want to chat about it next week (8th Jan) perhaps we can exchange some ideas then?
Angee xx
Hi Angee and FayJay
I’m also interested in the centre and the courses but as I’m not being paid at the moment by work I’m also put off by the cost. I haven’t been working now since June so money is a real issue at the moment. If either of you find out any more information about the centre and its costs I would be very interested and likewise if I find out any more information I’ll let you know.
Rebz xxx
Will do Ruby. I know what you mean, re: money as i am self employed.
xx
You can probably discuss cost with the centre as I believe that there is provision for paying less when the costs would cause hardship. This is certainly the case with the one hour long treatments eg shiatsu, massage that are available from the cancerpoint there - there is a standard cost but you can pay a donation rate instead if you can’t pay the full amount.
All the best
Anne
I will see what I can find out.
£270 seems more managable than £450
I will see what I can find out and let you know. Maybe if we could get a group together we could get a discount.
It might be nice for a few of us to meet up there?
I will try and remember to be on the chat session on 8th. Does it start at 8.30? Sorry brain like a sieve.
Hope to chat to you soon
fayjay
Hi fayjay
Just to let you know the secondary live chat on the 8th January does start at 8.30pm and finishes at 10pm.
Best Wishes
Katie