Years ago, when I was a college journalism student working for the campus newspaper, someone submitted my name to an armed forces training group so that I could go along for a weekend training mission that was supposed to begin with a parachute jump to the training facility.
That was back in the day when participatory journalism — actually being a part of a news story — was all the rage. Despite the popularity of this type of reporting, though, I did not participate in the training session, mostly because I can barely step foot in an airplane, much less jump out of it once I am in the air.
Recently, though, I was very pleased to participate in a story, and for the record, the subject of parachutes never came up. The story I participated in was called “guided imagery,” and it was offered at Little Company of Mary Hospital, 2800 W. 95th Street in Evergreen Park. Led by certified guided imagery practitioner Carole Wilson, I was led into a room that had a heated bed.
I was invited to recline upon the bed, and that would have been nice enough, but Wilson actually tucked me in, dimmed the lights, put a lavender scented eye mask over my eyes, turned on soft music, and began to read in what can only be described as dulcet tones. If you’re uncertain what dulcet tones are, think of any soft spoken person you like, and imagine that Wilson sounds better than the best speaker you can imagine.
Wilson then took me on an imaginary journey, where she described a scene that was so soothing and nice that I forgot I was in a hospital room, forgot the top five — maybe even top 10 worries for my day — and I began to sink into what I began to think of as the bed of tranquillity. For about an hour, Wilson kept reading, and I forgot I was there to do a story. I forgot I was on deadline. I forgot my name, and well, OK, I didn’t forget my name, but my usual racing thoughts of deadlines, chores, and worries just slipped away. For all that time, I just listened to Wilson’s voice and pictured everything she described.
After an hour that seemed to last only a few minutes, Wilson quietly counted backward from five, left the room, and returned to find me practically purring like a kitten. She is lucky I didn’t beg to stay there the entire day, or perhaps turn into a sort of Phantom of the Hospital, singing songs and waiting to sneak in on another session.
Seriously, however, purring like a kitten may not be the goal of the guided imagery sessions, but helping cancer patients have a little break from the stress of their disease is.
“Guided imagery is a process of using a person’s voice to guide you to a deeper state of relaxation, so when a patient steps in here, I am trying to help relieve them of their stress, or their feelings of powerlessness and depression,” Wilson said. “The guided imagery, or meditation, is a kind of mindfulness that helps to calm your mind, relax and calm your body, and restore your spirit. This is just so important for our cancer patients.”
Wilson first began an art therapy program at the hospital 16 years ago, when she volunteered her services. An artist from Palos Heights, she had a feeling that art therapy could be useful for cancer patients, so she approached hospital administrators.
“I figured the worst they could say was ‘no,'” Wilson said of her request to start an art program.
Administrators did not say no, however, and in fact, have added many more programs for cancer survivors, all offered free of charge to cancer patients, their families, and those who support them. Acupuncture, yoga, healing touch, meditation, self-hypnosis, Tai chi, various cancer support groups, and sometimes even cooking classes are offered by the hospital.
Kelly Walsh, the integrative therapy resource coordinator at the hospital explained why these programs are valued.
“Little Company of Mary Hospital recognizes the import role that holistic therapy plays in a person’s well being and healing journey,” Walsh said. “Our commitment to treating the whole person, mind, body and spirit, is evident through the comprehensive set of Integrative Therapy services that Little Company of Mary offers to cancer patients and their families.”
Wilson agreed, and said she was very privileged to be part of this approach to helping patients.
“I feel very privileged to be part of our phenomenal Integrative Therapy team at Little Company,” Wilson said. “When I paint with patients undergoing treatment, teach art classes to cancer survivors or share a guided imagery with them, I think of these opportunities as a way to provide them with a respite from their worries and concerns for a while – like a mini mind vacation. Since they are coping with a challenging time in their life, if I can help them to relax and ease their stress, I am gifted with personal joy.”
Those who wish to attend a hospital program are invited to contact Walsh at 708-229-6015. To visit LCMH’s website, go to www.lcmh.org.
Patti Ahern is a freelance columnist for the Daily Southtown.
