Mrs. M. had spent the last 40 years in the same house. It was there that three of her children were Bar Mitzvahed and two of her children were married. For Mrs. M., home had always been at the center of life’s many important transitions. So, when Mrs. M. was diagnosed with terminal cancer, hospice at home was a clear choice.

A self-proclaimed “activist”, Mrs. M. had always been interested in learning about and trying new things. Therefore, when she began to experience pain, Mrs. M. did not want to compromise her values due to the limitations of traditional Western medicine. “I’ve never understood taking pills,” Mrs. M. reported.This is when she learned about Reiki. “An ancient Japanese healing art that works under the premise that we are energetic beings and sometimes our energy gets blocked by illness or trauma, Reiki works by recharging those energy batteries and creating balance,” explains Joyce Gallagher, the Hospice’s Director of Nurses.

After exploring its benefits, Mrs. M. knew she “really would need to find a hospice that had Reiki.” When she learned about Circle of Caring at Hospice of the Good Shepherd’s Reiki Program, she knew it would be a good fit. She began receiving treatments from the Hospice’s trained Reiki professionals two times per week. During treatments, these professionals would channel energy by laying hands on or over Mrs. M’s body, in an attempt to alleviate discomfort and promote symptom control. Often considered an alternative therapy in the United States, Reiki has in fact been used in different parts of the world for thousands of years.

The results were astonishing. Mrs. M. found she had “much more energy and a terrific disposition” and recalls that it was undeniably “because of the Reiki”. Mrs. M. continues to receive treatments from the Hospice’s staff on Tuesdays and Fridays. A strong advocate of Reiki, Mrs. M. does acknowledge that this may not be an option for everyone. “You have to go into this understanding we’re not talking cure – we’re talking palliative,” she explains. While Mrs. M. knows she is dying, there is no doubt in her mind that she is truly “living” the last days of her life.

“It incredibly improves the quality of my life. It won’t lengthen it, but it won’t shorten it either and there will be no side effects. Plus, I get the added benefit of meeting some very terrific human beings. To me, what more can you ask for - except the opportunity to spread the word.”