A Holistic Cancer Retreat

At a Mass for the terminally ill in May 2000, I was struck by the emotionally charged atmosphere of pain, especially of a man beside me who had a teenage daughter struck down by cancer. I felt an inner urge to organize a retreat for cancer patients, a retreat where space and opportunities are created for them to share and touch base with themselves in prayer.  So with the help of some very committed friends and Sisters, Landscape Crossing 1 was launched.  The very positive feedback gave me encouragement to organize Landscape Crossing 2.  A couple who journeyed with their sister in Landscape Crossing 1 and who died last year came back to help me. In memory of their sister this help included a generous donation of $5000/-

With the experience of the first retreat, I felt more confident with the preparations and in due time, the programme was ready.  However, a week before the retreat, only four people confirmed that they were coming!!  Yes, the Lord was telling me something ~ my old ways of wanting things under control were resurfacing and I have forgotten to let go…..and let God.  The team prayed and eventually we had nineteen participants and nine helpers.  A number came with their caregivers, spouses or siblings.

Participants and helpers.

Ms Susanna Ho, an ex- teacher of St Anthony's Canossian Secondary School facilitated the ice-breaker session and together with Sr Anne Lim's presentation on how an illness impacts upon one's inner landscape, the participants warmed up to one another.  Some caregivers resonated with Sr Anne Tan's sharing on her experience of how caring for her dying sister affected her.  She shared that there was a time when she, as a caregiver was in denial, and as she read her sister's posthumous letter thanking her, some of us were in tears.  These were precious moments when we resonated with another's deepest feelings ~ experiencing God... 

Ms Chan May Lin, a medical social worker from the National Cancer Centre spoke on the Grieving Process and the Road to Recovery.  The underlying tone was a very positive urge for us to live our life to the full, to take time to look at the flowers and to appreciate God's beauty around us even when we have barely two days to live.  The calming atmosphere of the Christian meditation session centred us in our inner being after a morning of sharing and talks.  The first day ended with two Reiki sessions - many participants gave the feedback that they felt very relaxed after that energy therapy.

The good turnout for the walk to the top of Bukit Batok Hill the next morning was due to an impromptu pep talk by a friend, Patrick Praskash, who lost a daughter to cancer four years ago and who urged us to breathe deeply in natural and richly oxygenated environment.  He drove from Tampines to Jalan Merbok to join us for the walk, he was an inspiration to the others to slot exercises periods in their tightly daily schedule.

Most of us enjoyed the yoga session conducted by Angeline, Sr Mary Tan's sister and felt that it was too short.  Yoga addresses our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs.

Father Glen de Cruz spoke from a Christian perspective of pain, suffering and death.  What struck us immediately was his opening sentence that the world does not need teachers but witnesses.  Life experiences and empathy connects people, not ideas and teachings.  His interactive style and personal anecdotes made his session most amusing yet there was deeply spiritual touch.

Suzzane Khor from Roche Pharmaceuticals gave a talk on a diet for cancer patients.  We, cancer patients and survivors are sometimes confused by the numerous advice given by well meaning friends.  I, for my part still love lamb chops, which to some is an absolute taboo food.  My motto is "moderation and exercise is the key to good heath!"

In the anointing prayer, many felt being loved and cared for when we anointed each other at each point of our body with the Canossian Oil of Charity. The prayer gave us to zest to end the retreat with two line dancing items. 

All in all, the whole retreat was quite packed with sessions interlaced with quiet activities.  Each participant made her own journey with a connecting process from within where God's Spirit speaks.  Perhaps, in the next retreat, journalling could be introduced to facilitate the process of growth and understanding of ourselves.

My heartfelt thanks to the team of helpers and in a special way, Sr Lily Tan and Sr Priscilla Ahin who did a lot of background work

By: Sr Margaret Goh