Member's Experience - Sidney
I found out that you have to be ill to find out the kind and good people in life.
Three to four years ago I went to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead for a cancer tumour on the the base of my tongue deep in my throat.
I had a biopsy and it was proved malignant, the next day I was operated on for a feeding tube to be inserted in my stomach because I would not be able to eat anything during my seven weeks of radiotherapy. Unfortunately because of my age (I was 87 at the time) I had to stay in hospital and did not take to the treatment too well, when I was ready to go home I felt quite ill and very depressed so that I was advised to attend "The Peace Hospice" in Watford, which is a charity for terminally ill cancer patients. I went there against my will to the Thursday day care centre on the advice and pressure from my two daughters, after the first visit I was kept in the inpatients ward for a week as I was suffering from dehydration.
I could not have been in better hands and when discharged I could still attend the day centre, the staff and volunteer carers were so kind and good to me that it turned my life around. I made many new friends among the patients and staff but the downside of it was that I also lost a few but the support from the volunteers was so good particularly when some of them were not too well themselves at times, one lady was suffering from multiple sclerosis and needed a walking frame to get about but she still found the time to come and help others in the day centre.
At the centre I was told about "Cherry Lodge" not a hospice but a charitable centre to help cancer patients to recover after or during their treatment. Once again kindness from the staff and volunteers who were all giving their time helping with various therapies and healing treatments to patients completely free of charge.
Here I met and made friends had a chat and a cup of tea whilst waiting for our treatments. Had a few hugs from some of the ladies which was a bonus!
After two and half years although still unable to eat only soft liquid foods I finally had the tube removed from my stomach I can't describe how elated I felt, I think I am the only person in Cherry Lodge to have two belly buttons! But I don't think anybody is envious so as I said at the beginning if you want to meet the good and kind, then either be seriously ill or become a volunteer carer, after all don't forget all of our charitable organisations would not survive without volunteers, as a bonus last week I had a birthday card signed by staff and volunteers for my 90th birthday, I was very grateful and wish them all well, keep up the good work.
