Member's Experience - Thelma
Three years ago I was diagnosed with cancer of my right kidney. After working as a ward sister for many years this diagnosis was devastating. I had surgery followed by chemo and radiotherapy. I felt desperately unwell and very, very low - full of fear and panic. I knew of Cherry Lodge from my time at the hospital. From my office window I would see the old building on a daily basis and the constant comings and goings of staff and members.
I decided to give it a try. I remember vividly my first meeting, an introductory session with one of the nurses, whose manner put me at ease straight away. I took a friend with me as I was frail and anxious. She was allowed to sit in with me which I found comforting. I started to go to the drop-ins where members can get together and chat over a cup of tea and have complementary therapies. I was so poorly that they arranged for me to have a personal sessions of Reflexology - one to one sessions for 8 weeks. Also Reiki, and I was given a meditation tape made specially for me to take home. This was a period when I suffered from anxiety and panic attacks. On one of my visits to a drop-in session, I had an attack and was very anxious and felt dreadfully unwell. I remember the way I was cared for with calmness, sensitivity and kindness. I also had numerous telephone conversations with Fiona when I had lost my appetite. She would talk things over with me and gave useful advice.
I have benefited enormously from the facilities at Cherry Lodge. In the early days when I was suffering from anxiety and depression and felt I had lost control, I found the drop-ins very comforting because I met others who had come "through" with help from Cherry Lodge. People who do not know Cherry Lodge say that it must be quite depressing to have a room full of cancer patients but for me it was the opposite. Cancer takes away your confidence and it is so helpful to talk to others who have been there. It also has a library which provides books and leaflets with helpful information about the cancer journey.
want to pay tribute to the wonderful work done by the volunteers. When I was at my lowest they would talk to me at the drop-in sessions. I have benefited enormously from the services of the volunteer therapists. I was also allocated a befriender who visited me regularly over a difficult period. She had had cancer herself and had come through it and was living a normal life again. She gave me hope, support and encouragement. As this was a period when I dreaded being left on my own, her visits enabled my partner to go out for a bit.
I could not have come through without the help and support of all at Cherry Lodge. I now feel able to integrate into the "normal" world. Three years on I still attend. I still find it beneficialand I also feel I can put something back by meeting new members who are beginning their journey and give them some support. I love going - it is a very happy place, mixed with some sadness. I also get involved in some of the fundraising events. All the benefits I have had have been free. To have all this free costs a lot. Cherry Lodge relies on members and a wide network of friends who help in fundraising. We have a great variety of events and I enjoy getting involved. We are so fortunate to have an organisation like Cherry Lodge in Barnet and it deserves all the support we can give it. For me Cherry Lodge is the "Tops".
Thelma Sparks
