The Dreaded Call
It was 2012 and I was knee deep in a PhD in London alongside the HBLB. I got that call we all dread. It was from my mum "darling are you sitting down? I've got some bad news" I was in fact driving between Liverpool and London. I was sitting comfortably but pulled over in a services on the M6 and received the news my mum had breast cancer. Hits you like a tonne of bricks. So many of us have been there. Now, I don't know if you have ever tried to nurse a nurse but it's not easy! Mum is a retired Macmillan nurse and knows the cancer game all to well.
The team at North Wales Cancer Treatment centre were FANTASTIC and knew just how to to guide her so she could concentrate on being the patient and the human and for once let someone else care for her. The care, consideration and personalised approach they took with my mum was inspiring. Two rounds of surgery, chemo and radiation. I certainly learnt a thing or two about bedside manner and case continuity from them. We spent a lot of time in the chemo ward and managed to get staff and patients hooked on Olympic dressage as we watched in awe at our British team. There is always a silver lining if you look for it (or gold in this case).
Mum has now been cancer free for 8 years and still visits that team yearly for her check up. It's incredibly comforting knowing they always have her back and the families too.
Thank you NHS.