"Butterfly House calmed my storm. Every time I walked through those doors, I could feel my stress, worries and anxiety lift. It’s a calm, tranquil place where everyone understands what you’re going through. Cancer is lonely but Butterfly House brought me back to the living. I will be forever grateful to the whole team there.”
When Sarah Escrader received her breast cancer diagnosis in May 2023, her world turned upside down.
At the time, Sarah’s two daughters were just 22 and 11.
“Trying to tell them was one of the hardest moments of my life. I didn’t know if I’d come out the other side of treatment and leave my two beautiful girls without a mummy. How could this happen to us?”
From that moment, life became a blur of scans, appointments, and treatments.
“I began chemotherapy in July 2023. Chemo first, then surgery and radiotherapy. It all came thick and fast.”
Sarah, who has lived in Marlow for 27 years, was referred to Butterfly House, by her chemotherapy nurse when she began struggling mentally through treatment.
“When they first mentioned the word hospice, it filled me with fear.
How had it come to this? But the moment I met Karen, one of the nurses at Butterfly House, I felt instantly at ease. She explained it’s a day hospice offering incredible support not just for patients, but for families too.”
Sarah started counselling sessions with Lea, one of the hospice therapists.
“I’d never had counselling before and was sceptical at first, but it was amazing. Lea helped me talk through everything. I’ve learned how powerful talking really is. It made me feel stronger and more in control.”
As her journey continued, Sarah discovered a range of therapies that helped her heal, body and mind.
“I had reflexology with Ruby, which was a delight after so many months of being poked and prodded. It made me feel human again. I also tried acupuncture with Chris, which eased some of the side effects of treatment, including being thrown into menopause overnight!”
She also benefited from scar therapy with Michelle, who “was so kind, knowledgeable, and completely understood my pain,” and lymphatic massage with Francis, which Sarah describes as “a game changer.”
“My breast is more comfortable now, less swollen, and my movement has improved. It finally feels like mine again. Francis is so caring and skilled. I’ll really miss our chats when treatment finishes!”
Reflecting on her experience, Sarah says:
“Butterfly House has been a lifeline for me. I never knew services like this existed until I really needed them. Cancer opens up a different world, a club no one wants to be part of, but one you can’t live without once you’re in it.
Butterfly House calmed my storm. Every time I walked through those doors, I could feel my stress, worries and anxiety lift. It’s a calm, tranquil place where everyone understands what you’re going through. Cancer is lonely but Butterfly House brought me back to the living. I will be forever grateful to the whole team there.”
Butterfly House is part of Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity, helping even more people like Sarah find comfort, hope and healing when they need it most.
Sarah has now had two clear scans and is looking forward to officially being in remission.
You can support this life-changing care today:
Donate at fnhospice.org.uk/donate »
