Nurses needed

 There appears to be plenty of support for patients with their first diagnosis of breast cancer, MacMillan nurses, breast care nurses and personal chemo nurses.

However this support seems to disappear when secondary cancer is diagnosed. There is plenty of research to show that prognosis is improved if patients have the appropriate emotional and practical support, despite this fact there are only 20 secondary breast care nurses in the UK, compared with more than 500 for primary breast care.

For one local lady, that support came from Iain Rennie Grove House Hospice Care (IRGH). Frances (not her real name) was first diagnosed with breast cancer on Christmas Eve 2003, “It was a difficult time” explains Frances, “I had four young children and my mother was dying. I had a mastectomy straight after Christmas followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy; I had plenty of support from family and friends, and particularly from IRGH. I survived and life eventually began to return to normal and I put the illness behind me.”

“Then out of the blue in 2006 the cancer returned and was spreading through the lymph system and by 2009 it had spread to the bones.”

Frances continues, “After my first diagnosis I was recommended to join a programme at Grove House, which offered me coping strategies and the opportunity to meet others in a similar situation to mine. The programme was hugely beneficial and really helped me to move on and leave the diagnosis behind. With the second and third diagnosis IRGH continued to support me with counselling, reiki yoga, relaxation and acupuncture.”

“This year the cancer spread to the brain, so yet more surgery and drug regimes, but IRGH is still there supporting me, I can ask them anything from help with drug side effects to advice on who will now give me travel insurance for my next trip to India later this year!”

 “The notion of the “all-clear” is a myth,” concludes Frances, “No one with invasive breast can be certain that it will never return. However I certainly live life to the full now; cancer has taught me to value and enjoy every single day and to value and enjoy my wonderful supportive family and friends and the support of IRGH.”

 For help and further information about IRGH call 01727 731000.