By DANI ROTHWELL
Lynne Byrne is a cancer survivor who found Tai Chi helped her battle. Now, she wants others to be able to get the same benefits she did. Read her journey in her own words …
“I AM a breast cancer survivor of 24 years and I credit this partially due to my introduction to Tai Chi.
My initial battle included three lots of operations, the final removal of the breast and several lymph glands in my left arm.
Upon recovery I found that I had developed lymphadenoma, a swelling condition of the limb, which required me to wear a pressurized sleeve night and day and have regular sessions of a pump on my arm to reduce the swelling.
Looking for something to distract me from my health problems, I took up the practice of Tai Chi and in doing so learnt that this ancient form of exercise is a mind and body way of health that improves your immune system, keeps you flexible, and strengthens your bones and your balance.
In my case, the flow of energy generated by my practise helped to dispel the swelling in my arm, allowing me to eventually dispense of my pressurised sleeve.
I was so impressed with what Tai Chi did for me, and wanted to be able to spread the word, that I joined the Golden Lion Academy in Berwick to learn how to become an instructor and to be able to teach this wonderful way of healthful living.
At this point I need to stress that my lymphadenoma was only mild and having caught it in the early stages, I only occasionally get some swelling in the hot weather that responds to gentle massage and of course continually working on my Tai Chi.
I have never had to revert to my sleeve and I have travelled to China on training trips without having the sleeve on my arm.
My purpose in sharing my story is so other women and men suffering from the same sort of problem will be able to benefit as I have in finding this simple option to a vexing problem.”
