After major cancer surgery to remove a large tumour from my jaw and neck and six months radiotherapy, I was diagnosed with further cancers: in my lung (terminal) and then on both sides of my face in the form of skin and mouth tumours. Throughout my recovery, I was monitored by the Head and Neck oncology team at Barnstaple North Devon District Hospital. During discussions with one of the nurses, I discovered she was offering a one-to-one counselling service for patients with similar conditions. Up to that point I was very sceptical; someone who was fiercely independent and self-reliant but I felt it was time for me to admit that the cancers were something I could no longer handle on my own and agreed to an initial session to see if the counselling might be for me, after all.
It was probably one of the best decision I've made in recent years. The six sessions were gently and sensitively handled with careful and timely prompts and questions which allowed me, gradually, to lose my inhibitions and have absolute trust in my counsellor. She helped me to be totally open, explore my fears, anxieties, and emotions and, bit by bit, explore the root causes of some of the issues I have carried throughout my life. The whole experience was liberating, energising, and gave me the confidence to put long-held plans in place and move forward with a greater sense of being at peace with myself. I would urge anyone in a similar position to at least give it a go. It really has been transformative and invaluable, for me, at least. Superb!
"Counselling for terminal cancer"
About: North Devon District Hospital / Cancer Services North Devon District Hospital Cancer Services Barnstaple EX31 4JB
Posted by Devonn Mike (as ),
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