"Excellent care"

Diagnosed with rectal cancer, initially treated at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, followed by successful operation at NDDH, and subsequent consultations with cancer consultant and surgeons from NDDH. Later diagnosed with plasmacytoma treated by radiotherapy at RD&E. Then, within months, multiple myeloma diagnosed.

Currently receiving chemotherapy by tablets, under consultant at NDDH. Unfortunately I reacted badly to chemotherapy for rectal cancer and spent three weeks in intensive care, followed by three months on Yeo ward at RD&E. I have complete confidence in my consultants and surgeons whom I feel have been on top of my issues.

As a retired scientist I have been able to learn about my conditions and have been able to have informed discussions with them. Therefore I have felt engaged in my treatment which has helped my mental state enormously through some difficult times.

All the nurses,  have been incredible, showing dedication and great caring. In particular those in intensive care and on Yeo ward encouraged me through some very dark times. And now I am having excellent support from the stoma nurses at NDDH.

I live about one hour by car from both hospitals and so my wife and I made extensive use of the Baker House accommodation at RD&E, where the accommodation officers were so helpful and supportive, even visiting me in intensive care. It has also helped that I have seen my consultants sometimes at more local  hospitals, before lockdown. That is very much to be encouraged to save travelling and to avoid the difficulties sometimes of parking at the major hospitals.

Currently telephone consultations, and e-mails with nurses, are working well. I was impressed by the quick turn-around time for blood tests at both hospitals. I have praise for the chaplains who were also a source of encouragement, and for the many volunteers at the hospitals, including FORCE which provided a calming refuge at RD&E. I may be wrong, but I believe that the volunteers (and maybe some staff) have to pay for parking. If that is true, then that is an injustice.

Finally, I welcome the proposal to build a cancer support centre, including accommodation, at NDDH.