Linda Davies: The Cold Is My Teacher

Cold water helped me recover from cancer

Linda Davies is no stranger to discomfort. Her life has been a forest of challenges, each one making her stronger. From taking her personal experience of kidnap and turning it into a best selling novel to recovering from breast cancer, emerging more focussed and driven to spend her life doing the things that really matter. Linda is an author, a life coach, a mentor, a wife, a mother, an animal lover, a seasoned sea swimmer, a Brass Monkey owner and above all, a woman who understands how to live. 

“Telling the children was the hardest part”

Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. She was traumatised. She never thought cancer would come for her. And telling her three children was hardest part of all. An incredibly physical, mental and emotional journey was about to begin. Through the fear and the pain, Linda found silver linings in the overwhelming love she felt from friends and family.

Before Linda began chemotherapy, she had a mastectomy and the surgeons advised her not to swim in the sea for at least 9 months giving her tissues time to heal completely. Swimming in all seasons in all weathers has been part of Linda’s life since she was a little girl when her family trips to Denmark involved hiking and swimming in ice cold glacial melt rivers. She grew up loving the cold and it became part of who she was. But now with her immune system suppressed through chemo, swimming in the sea was no long safe. 

Her husband understood what a devastating blow this was to his wife, and so he went searching for a ice cold plunge that could help Linda feel the freedom and relief of the icy water. He new it would become a big part of their lives and wanted something truly wonderful, so he bought her a Brass Monkey. 

“I wouldn’t let cancer define who I was”

She didn’t want to feel like another a cancer patient. Having chemo, losing her hair and her sense of self. She wanted to feel like Linda. Brave. Strong. Capable of doing anything she put her mind to. Chemo was hugely challenging. But the ice bath presented a challenge that had nothing to do with cancer. A challenge that she could safely take on and make her feel like the Linda she knew. 

She broke through the ice, got into the bath and the cold worked its magic. It made her feel good mentally and physically and so continued to use the ice bath throughout her 18 months of treatment to help with the side affects. One of those was peripheral neuropathy - damage to the peripheral nervous system (the network of nerves that sends signals between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body) caused by the chemo. The use of her hands, fingers and toes were compromised so once simple things like tying her shoe laces became a struggle.  Instinctively, Linda knew the cold would help and along with acupuncture, she cured it.

“Our thoughts create our reality”

Linda has a tradition. When people come over to her house, she takes them for a swim. She packs flasks of tea for everyone before making the short journey to the beach in the 8 seater Mercedes, affectionately named ‘the sand wagon’, she bought specially for these trips. All year round, they park up and climb down the sandy dunes leading to the sea, stripping down to their swimsuits and jumping in. She told us “Our thoughts create our reality. So if you think ‘oh it’s cold’, you’re programming your body to feel cold. That’s why I have a complete ban on anyone saying the ‘c’ word (cold) for the ‘f’ word (freezing). You can swear as much as you want but you can’t say anything about the temperature!” 

Get our of your comfort zone

“I firmly believe it’s good for us to get out of our comfort zone, and to do something a bit mad that challenges us. It’s helped me incredibly as I deal with my treatment, post mastectomy and as I recover from surgery and my chemo. It really did help me with those pretty horrible side effects. And it gave me a sense of being strong at a time when I felt incredibly vulnerable. That was really powerful for me. I think it’s really important that we don’t identify with these conditions whatever they are, and whatever challenges we might all have. It [the cold] helps us get in touch with ourselves better.So go for it!”

How does cold water immersion help with cancer recovery?

Cold water immersion offers several potential benefits for cancer recovery, though research is still emerging. Here are a few ways it can support:

Reduced inflammation: Cold exposure can help reduce inflammation and swelling, which might alleviate some discomfort associated with cancer treatments.

Improved circulation: Alternating between cold and warm exposure can stimulate blood flow, potentially aiding nutrient delivery and waste removal in the body.

Enhanced mood: Cold water immersion may boost endorphin levels, helping to improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, which can be significant during cancer recovery.

Pain relief: Cold can numb pain and discomfort, providing temporary relief during recovery.

Immune system support: Some studies suggest that cold exposure might enhance immune function, which can be beneficial in fighting off infections, especially after chemotherapy or radiation.

Mindfulness and resilience: Engaging in practices like cold water immersion can promote mental resilience, helping individuals cope better with the psychological aspects of recovery.

While these benefits are promising, it's essential for cancer patients to consult with their healthcare providers before trying cold water immersion, as individual needs and circumstances can vary significantly.