It has been 65 days since Tristan Thayer had his second bone marrow transplant, and he's back at Norris Cotton Cancer Center for follow-up treatment. While it's evident that Tristan is still regaining his strength, he displays a calm and confident presence in the busy infusion suite. Yesterday, Tristan celebrated his 24th birthday. Today, he looks forward to a massage from therapist Robin Williams during his infusion.
Although massage has been offered to patients in the hospital for many years, Deb Steele, Supportive Services Coordinator for the Cancer Center, has introduced a pilot program to offer these integrative support services and classes for cancer outpatients as well. Called Haelan, from the Gaelic "to make whole," the program aims to enhance the sense of well-being and comfort of patients as they undergo cancer treatment.
Caring for the Whole Patient
"The Haelan Program is about caring for the whole patient. It's a way of supporting a patient through a life changing experience and looking holistically at ways to help the healing process," Deb Steele says. Haelan staff will provide brief massage or Reiki four days each week in the infusion suite and in the Hematology-Oncology and Radiation Oncology waiting rooms.
Funding for the year-long pilot was provided by the Friends of Norris Cotton Cancer Center, and one goal of the program is to find long-term funding for the project. Haelan will offer comfort and support regardless of a patient's ability to pay, but fees for services will be explored during the pilot program. The pilot will also evaluate which services are most beneficial so the program can provide the best combination of services for patients and families.
Through the Haelan Program, Steele will encourage patients to try various types of integrative services. "We want people to do things here that can help them feel better physically and emotionally, because there are so many aspects of living with cancer that are very difficult. We also want our patients to learn that there are ways they can help themselves every day, especially those days that are challenging or difficult."
Tristan Thayer agrees. "Everyone involved in my care has been wonderful, and every process in the hospital has played its part, but for me, feeling the ability to heal has come through massage. It lifts your spirits as well as your body and that makes a huge difference."
Tristan's Story
In August of 2001, Tristan Thayer was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), a rapidly progressing disease in which too many immature white blood cells invade the blood and bone marrow. Tristan responded well to treatment and after a successful bone marrow transplant, was back at college by January.
Last summer his cancer returned, and he needed another transplant-this time from a donor, his 16-year old brother, Max. Tristan was in the hospital for two months and at one point, in bed for three weeks straight. "I was very on the edge, and finding it difficult to make it through this second assault of cancer."
Tristan was regularly offered massage by therapists who work in the inpatient unit, and eventually he tried it. Over time he came to value his relationship with the massage therapists and the difference massage made in how he felt. "With AML, everyone is concerned about maintaining sterile conditions. There's not much human contact or touch. Sometimes, my massage was the only touch I would have all week. It's so healing when you are hurting so much."
Deb Steele, Supportive Services Coordinator, says that Tristan's experience is not unusual. "When we think about the process of healing, we often talk about clinical care provided by expert physicians. But on the cancer journey, patients need to feel cared for on many levels. By using integrative services like massage, patients find a way to participate actively in their healing, and that's important to the process. Hawlan program services, which also include yoga, Reiki, and mind-body relaxation, work to reduce stress, increase relaxation, and restore a sense of well-being."
