PATSY Patsy: It says here “It doesn’t matter
where you go in life, what you do, or how much you have.
It’s who you have beside you.”
That was given to me by a very dear friend, Lorraine.
I think it really actually sums up the Macmillan unit, totally.
Because they’re always beside you.
I was diagnosed in 2004 with multiple myeloma.
The illness was treatable but not curable and the 'but' negated the treatable bit so
I was lying in bed thinking “This is not curable.
What does it mean?”
I was very, very scared, and that’s when Erica walked in and asked me if I had any
questions.
I could hear myself saying this isn’t curable.
And she said “I wish they wouldn’t say it like that”, and put the leaflets down
on the bed next to me, took my hand and then very ably explained to me what was going on.
And I realised then that yes, it was treatable.
All of a sudden I had hope and I had something to fight for - and I wasn’t scared anymore.
And that's what Erica did for me.
ERICA: When you tell somebody they’ve got cancer or myeloma, you start telling them
about the treatments and what you have in store for them, and that robs them of the
control that they have as they’re following that pathway.
So it is important for people to be able to cope, to have some control back over their
life, and to feel that they’re involved in that decision making process.
PATSY: For you to have a control, in whatever way it is, over what’s happening to you,
although you are also giving yourself to the expertise of those around you - and to do
that, you really need to trust those people.
And one of the ways that I found that really encouraged that trust was being treated as
an individual.
ERICA: Actually having cancer is a very expensive process which you don’t realise.
We offer Citizen’s Advice Bureau, addressing things like benefits and financial support.
We help with housing, finances, you know if people are unable to work or haven't got a
job at that particular point.
PATSY: You know the support is evident when you’re in as a patient, around you.
I think what’s probably less known is things like the helpline for times when you just
need somebody to talk to.
You can pick it up at anytime.
Somebody’s there to listen which has proved invaluable to me.
That’s invaluable not only for patients but for family members for people involved
with friends, there’s so many, so many people that can use that help and support line.
That’s Alan and I on one of our holidays many years ago.
I think we were drinking sangria but you can’t see it at the bottom there.
If right now I could go back to the Patsy in 2004 that was lying in that room, I would
be saying “This lady that’s going to come in trust her (which I did).
Listen to what she’s saying.
Everything’s going to be alright because you are supported by an amazing group of people.
And they’re going find you, help you find your inner resources to be well again.
Trust them and really look forward, look forward to a bright future.
(TITLES) Wherever your journey may take you.
Call the Macmillan Team free on 0808 808 0000.
For cancer support every step of the way.
We are Macmillan Cancer Support 0808 808 000.