A DYING mum who has a rare form of cancer says her burlesque dancing has kept her alive by giving her a positive focus.
Lorraine Castellano, 56, says being on stage is so therapeutic and is a time when she doesn’t think about her illness at all.
“I don’t know if it’s a chemical reaction, the adrenaline – if I could bottle that I don’t think I would have needed chemotherapy,” she said.
“You have to find something you can lose yourself in, where you can get some escapism.”
The mum-of-one from Penarth, South Wales, has been told she has only months left but is determined to perform one last time with the Burly Girls at the Cardiff Cabaret Club at the end of March.
“Yes I am ill with cancer and I know where it is taking me – I am going to die,” she said.
“But my dancing has kept me incredibly fit and my body has been able to cope.
“To look at me you wouldn’t know I was ill but my consultant said it was because I was so fit before and have continued to maintain a good level of fitness.
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“I have outlived everyone’s expectations.”
The former beauty therapist was diagnosed with peritoneal cancer in 2013.
She says it was because of her burlesque hobby that she discovered something was wrong.
“I remember I had been feeling really run down and my tummy was painful,” she said.
“My abdominal area had even changed shape and I knew something was wrong.
“Then my dance director, Foo Foo Labelle, tried to lace me into my corset and my legs gave way because of the pain in my abdomen.
“My doctor ran lots of tests and eventually a biopsy revealed I had cancer.”
Lorraine has been a fully-fledged Burly Girl for the last five years although she says her interest in performing began when she was a little girl and dreamed of being a showgirl in a travelling circus.
“My burlesque and my burly is my faith. I’ve done show after show – four or five every single year.
“I had been working in the West Indies and some friends told me about a local burlesque group. I went along and became immediately obsessed.
What is Peritoneal Cancer?
Peritoneal cancer is a rare cancer.
It develops in a thin layer of tissue that lines the abdoemn. It also covers the uterus, bladder, and rectum.
Made of epithelial cells, this structure is called the peritoneum. It produces a fluid that helps organs move smoothly inside the abdomen.
Peritoneal cancer is not the same as intestinal or stomach cancer.
Nor is it to be confused with cancers that spread (metastasize) to the peritoneum.
Peritoneal cancer starts in the peritoneum, and hence is called primary peritoneal cancer.
There is no early stage and peritoneal cancer is always classed as stage three or four.
There is no cure, but surgery and chemotherapy is used to control the disease for as long as possible, and some patients also have radiotherapy.
“I was once at a dance show and they told me what I was going to be wearing and I thought ‘oh my God, this is amazing!’
“I am 56 and dancing on the stage with girls who are 19. Burlesque is for every shape and size and that is how it should be.”
As well as performing with the Burly Girls, Lorraine makes costumes for herself and for the other dancers, something she says she will continue to do for as long as possible.
“I would also like to sell all my clothes, shoes and costumes once I no longer need them,” she said.
“I want my clothes to go out dancing again.”
Meanwhile, the other loves of her life is her dog Betty: “I re-homed her and she and I are made for each other. She is my little angel and came at just the right time.
“We go out walking every single day and she’s with me all the time.”
Although Lorraine has decided she will not have any more chemotherapy she remains incredibly positive despite the fact that time is running out.
“I would say don’t let the cancer take away from who you are, stand your ground. Even if it fights back, stand your ground,” she said.
“You can still achieve so much and the rewards are still there for you.”
Lorraine is supporting Marie Curie during the charity’s annual Great Daffodil Appeal which was launched in Wales last week. To donate £5, text DAFF to 70111.
Or if you can volunteer your time go to: mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil or call 0800 3047025.