Penny’s story

Penny’s story 

Penny was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in July 2024 aged 45.  A mum of two young children with a busy teaching job, Rennie Grove Peace has helped Penny emotionally cope with her diagnosis and improve her wellbeing, through regular listening and talking therapy sessions, complementary therapy, and courses where she has learnt how to live well with her illness and plan ahead. 

Penny says, “When I was first diagnosed, I was finding it difficult to process everything that was going on.  I was told by my consultant that my cancer isn’t curable.  My GP suggested a referral to Rennie Grove Peace to help me cope with the emotional impact of my diagnosis and improve my wellbeing. My initial reaction was ‘why would I want to go to a hospice, that’s where people go to die’, but I had it all wrong, hospices are also there for people like me who have just been diagnosed. 

Initial meeting with a nurse to discuss my needs 

“In November, I went in for an initial chat with a nurse at Grove House in St Albans, where we chatted about everything – from my physical symptoms to how I, and my family, are managing to cope with daily practical tasks and life in general.    

Reiki sessions to help my wellbeing 

“The nurse at the clinic suggested I try some Reiki sessions, which is a healing therapy that helps to reduce stress and anxiety.  I’d never had Reiki before, so I was a bit sceptical, but it was wonderful. I started the sessions in November 2024 at Grove House in St Albans, and it was the one hour in the week when I was truly and utterly relaxed.  In fact, it has encouraged me to be a bit more mindful in my daily life.  

“I have a busy teaching job and two young kids, so my life is very full, but the Reiki provided a moment in the week when I could switch off.  I have a lot of brain fog from my condition, and the Reiki helped me feel more in tune with my body and emotions. 

“I have a few sessions of acupuncture booked for next month (April 2025), which should help with my muscle and joint pain. 

A safe place to help me plan ahead  

“It felt very scary to think about the future and plan ahead because since my diagnosis I have been taking every day as it comes, but the 3-week Rennie Grove Peace Advance Care Plan course gently guided my husband and I through what we needed to think about.   

“The first two sessions were in a group with one other couple.  Whilst it wasn’t easy to talk about the future, it felt therapeutic and it gave me a sense of control and choice about what I wanted.  It made my husband and I discuss things that need to be taken care of.   

“The nurse who led the session helped us feel safe and secure chatting about such difficult things.  The final session was a one-to-one session where the nurse supported us to write an Advance Care Plan, so that my wishes, and those of my family, are documented.   

A 10-week course to help me learn how to live well with my illness  

“In January 2025, I attended the Rennie Grove Peace 10-week Living Well programme, to help me learn how to live well during my illness.  When I walked into the first Living Well session, I felt very young as a lot of the people were older than me.  But after meeting people that first week, our common experience really did overcome any differences we had.  I enjoyed chatting with people who had the same outlook as me.  The nurses and volunteers at Living Well really lifted my spirits too.   

“I found the chair exercise sessions particularly helpful.  While I am still active and working, my muscles and joints really hurt, so I have incorporated these exercises into my daily routine.  I also found the sessions on managing fatigue very helpful, as this is a side-effect of the medication I am taking. 

“At every Living Well session, the nurses always checked in with me and had a one-to-one chat to see how I was doing, and whether I had any questions.  The nurses running the Living Well programme were also able to speak to my GP about prescribing a stronger painkiller after I spoke to them about my pain levels.     

Listening and talking therapy to help me cope emotionally with my diagnosis 

“It was also suggested that I might benefit from some emotional support from a trained listener, and I now (since February 2025) have a weekly face-to-face session that helps me process my feelings about what is happening.  It’s helpful to talk to someone independent who can help me unpack my emotions.  It has helped me feel stronger and in a better place mentally. 

Emotional support for my husband 

“My husband also has a weekly phone call with a Rennie Grove Peace trained listener.  For him, it is a good opportunity to offload what he is going through. 

Stronger going forward 

“The support I, and my husband, have received from Rennie Grove Peace has been outstanding.  Every person I have met has shown me such kindness and compassion.  Getting the support I needed to help me cope with my diagnosis and learn how to live well with my illness, has made me feel stronger and more able to deal with daily life.”