Being able to access treatment locally made such a difference!

When Barbara was diagnosed with ovarian cancer she had to start chemotherapy and have consultations at The Christie, Withington. From their house in Milnrow, Barbara and her husband, Norman found it difficult to travel there. The couple were relieved when they discovered they could access the Chemo Closer to Home service at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, just five miles away from their home…

“In 2020, Barbara was a very fit 75 year-old, still a keen golfer and mountain walker. She hadn’t spent one night in hospital since our son was born. In May 2021, she saw her GP about an abdominal swelling which was initially thought to be IBS but scans suggested ovarian cancer which was confirmed in June. 

She was referred to St Mary’s in Manchester with the hope that the tumours could be removed but surgery found that the cancer was too advanced and invasive and also mucinous, a rare form of ovarian cancer. We were told that chemotherapy might reduce the tumours enough to allow further surgery and she was referred to the Christie at Withington where she started chemo in August.

For several months we travelled, sometimes two or more times a week, to The Christie for consultations, blood tests, chemo etc. We live in Milnrow and the journey via the M62 and M60 was often a nightmare especially at rush hour. It was a round trip of about 60 miles and more than one and a half hours sometimes just for a blood test taking 20 minutes. When she had chemotherapy it meant two round trips: I usually had to get her there by 8am and pick her up in the late afternoon or evening, sometimes as late as 9pm. Often she was exhausted and upset and I found it very difficult, physically and emotionally.

The chemotherapy was not successful and they decided to try a different type. While we waited for the consultant I saw a notice on the wall suggesting it was possible to get treatment nearer to home. I did some research online and found that Barbara could have her blood tests and chemotherapy at Dr Kershaw’s, just 5 miles from home. We then managed to organise this and she started treatment at Dr Kershaw’s in November 2021.

It made all the difference. It usually took us 15 minutes or so to get to Dr Kershaw’s and a chemotherapy session would take maybe 3 or 4 hours, including travel, instead of all day. She was usually cheerful when she emerged rather than tearful and sometimes she drove herself there and back, doing some shopping on the way home which she would never have been able to do if she was being treated at The Christie at Withington.

We knew Barbara’s cancer was terminal but we were able to enjoy the last few months of our life together rather than spending it travelling up and down to the Christie from Milnrow. Largely thanks to the staff at Dr Kershaw’s she was able to enjoy Christmas and her 77th birthday in February with the family. Soon after that the chemotherapy had to stop and then she deteriorated rapidly and my wonderful wife of 52 years died peacefully at Springhill Hospice on 12th May 2022.”