"They greet me like a friend rather than a patient"

I wanted to share my positive experience of the chemotherapy clinic and the entire oncology department at DGRI. I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer in 2020, right at the start of the first lockdown. I received my diagnosis then had surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted treatment. I went on to receive a secondary breast cancer diagnosis in 2023 and visit the chemotherapy clinic every three weeks now. I will be coming here for the rest of my life, however long that may be. 

I wanted to share that the staff in the chemotherapy clinic are absolutely fantastic. They greet me like a friend rather than a patient and are so welcoming and friendly. They go out of their way to make every patient feel at ease, and help to take our minds off the treatments we are receiving. I am always so grateful to them for really taking the time to get to know each individual patient, they always remember if I have been away on holiday, and always ask about my children or future plans. I am hugely grateful to them all for making what could’ve been a very difficult experience into a much more pleasant and positive one. 

I would also like to mention that Dr Hayward (breast cancer oncologist) is absolutely fantastic and has been a huge support since my secondary diagnosis. He always takes the time to fully explain my scan results and will listen to any question that I bring - even though he has undoubtedly heard them many times before! I really appreciate his care and support and would like to share my thanks.