How TOWIE girls' favourite spa helped me cope with cancer

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Luxury retreat is dedicated to delivering treatment to those with cancer
Lifehouse Spa at Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex, has been endorsed by celebrities
Offers Reiki, yoga and massage delivered by specially trained therapists

By Lucy O'donnell For The Mail On Sunday

Published: 16:15 EST, 13 June 2015 | Updated: 16:45 EST, 13 June 2015

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If you have cancer, people are scared to touch you. Let me explain: I love having holistic treatments – massage, reflexology, and that sort of stuff. I find them profoundly nurturing and relaxing.

And since being diagnosed with advanced, incurable breast cancer, I have never felt I needed those things more. But anyone who has a massage also has to fill out a short medical questionnaire with a tick box.

Tick the one that says you are having cancer treatment and you’ll quickly find – as I did – that you’ll be turfed out faster than you can say chemotherapy.

The Lifehouse Spa and Hotel at Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex, offers specialist treatments for those diagnosed with cancer

Reasons I’ve been given include: it will spread the cancer (impossible), it will flush essential medications from the body (ummm, no), and that I could contaminate the therapist with drugs secreted through my sweat glands. I end up lying: ‘No, I don’t have cancer. I’m just bald.’

It shouldn’t be this way – and then I discovered a luxury retreat dedicated to delivering treatment to everyone – but especially those having cancer treatment…

THE PROBLEM

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, and by that time it had spread. Treatment now is about managing the disease rather than curing it. I have just had chemo, along with six visits to various hospitals for check-ups, procedures and scans. But I’m not at death’s door. I feel fit and well. But I am fed up of being prodded and poked – instead I want to be pampered and stroked.

WHERE’S THE SOLUTION?

Lifehouse Spa and Hotel at Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex. It used to be one of those celebrity-endorsed venues – the cast of The Only Way Is Essex are said to have patronised it. A few years back, the business went under and was bought out, and now it’s a much more sedate affair.

The cast of The Only Way Is Essex, including stars (left to right) Jess Wright, Sam Faiers and Sam's sister Billie, are said to have patronised the spa and hotel

WHAT’S THE TREATMENT?

The Lifehouse Recovery Treatment (£55 per treatment) is carried out by therapists specially trained by the NHS’s Christie Charity to personalise treatments for people with or recovering from cancer.

Reiki and yoga are options but I ask straight away for a firm, full-body massage. While I am always a little fragile, and have to cope with ongoing side effects and small operations, I am a lot more robust than a lot of patients. I’d packed a letter from my oncologist saying it was OK – but the therapists told me they didn’t need to see it.

The therapists will get you into a position that works for you. For instance, if you cannot lie on your front, then they will treat you in a sitting-up position and on your back

For those who are more frail, there are gentler options. The therapists will get you into a position that works for you. For instance, if you cannot lie on your front, then they will treat you in a sitting-up position and on your back.

Knowing that some guests may be self-conscious after surgery, the therapists are very adept at using extra draping, or you can remain fully clothed. They have medical staff on call at all times. Essential oils are not used on the skin as they can affect the immune, liver and lymph system. Instead the aromatherapy is limited to aromasticks and scented candles.

I explained what bits of me were aching, and my masseuse went to work, applying the pressure that suited me. I was so relaxed, I could barely get dressed for dinner.

The next day, I combined a mini facial, head massage and reflexology. Then I headed to the hydrotherapy area, a variety of swimming and wallowing pools of different temperatures, along with hot rooms. Sheer bliss.

Next morning, after waking and drinking cleansing hot water and lemon delivered to the room, I took an exercise class before making my way home.

Through the investment of proper training and education, the therapists have the confidence, adaptability, skills and experience to treat their guests according to their needs. I hope others out there will learn from their success, and stop being scared of touching people with cancer.

For more information visit lifehouse.co.uk. Cancer Is My Teacher, by Lucy O’Donnell, is published by Quartet Books, priced £12.99.