"Mum cared for by special people"

Mum was diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2020 at the height of the Covid 19 pandemic.  Given the restrictions in place at the time Mum received excellent care and support from the oncology team at Monklands.  Following complications Mum was admitted to Ward 10 at Monklands hospital towards the end of July 2020.  It became apparent very quickly that the cancer had spread to her brain.  The oncology team and staff on Ward 10 worked closely together to manage Mum's pain and to put in place a palliative radiotherapy programme.  

 Up to this point Mum had been in an incredible amount of pain and the staff in Ward 10 tried everything possible to reduce this.  Round the clock monitoring, administering pain relief, their care and attention was constant.  Mum received her radiotherapy treatment at the Beatson centre in Monklands within a few weeks of being admitted to hospital.  Thankfully this contributed greatly to reducing her pain.  However the cancer was spreading quickly and the prognosis for Mum was not good. The doctors advised us that Mum's condition would deteriorate over the coming weeks.  

Ward 10 staff discussed a number of options with Mum and us and we agreed Mum would come home for however long she had left.  The staff set about putting in place a comprehensive care package that would allow us to care for Mum at home.  In total Mum spent 5 weeks in Ward 10 and we as a family cannot thank the staff enough for the care, support , advice and compassion shown to Mum and us. 

In the end we had Mum at home for only 3 weeks before she passed away but we wouldn't have had that special time with her without the help and support of Ward 10 staff.  Mum couldn't speak highly enough of you all - she called you "special people" - and we agree with her. 

So thank you for everything you did for Mum and our family at such a difficult time.  Hope this message makes it way to you all so that you understand how much of a difference you can and do make.  Thank you