"Caring Thyroid Cancer support"

During both my surgeries in Daisy Hill Hospital April 2020 and Craigavon Area Hospital June 2020 for my Thyroidectomy, I was treated with the utmost care and kindness during Covid times and throughout all my follow ups by ENT & the nursing care teams. They treated me with great compassion and always listened to my concerns. 

Due to Cancer surgery complications, I was diagnosed with Vocal chord paralysis resulting in total loss of vocal, acute shortness of breath and swallow issues which were extremely challenging.  With extensive speech therapy for 6 months and truly amazing care, support and kindness shown to me from Jacqueline, Speech, language & Swallow therapist, who started my initial session by saying ' slow and steady wins the race' we worked so hard on my communication skills and in getting my vocal back to a level that I could chat again ... hugely important for me being someone who loves to talk and enjoy the craic!! 

However with continuous shortness of breath, limited depth or strength to my vocal ability, unable to do anything on exertion, and my overall quality of life - on discussion with my ENT consultant surgeon Mr McCaul, Catherine and Kate - Trachi nurse specialists we decided that the only fix to enhance my overall quality of life, to provide more air into my lungs and enhance my breathing and vocal ability was to have a Tracheostomy.

A life changing and life adapting surgery which I had in October and which I am now recuperating from.

All the nursing team in 1 West Elective Ward in Craigavon Area Hospital became my family for 10 days and showered me with so much care, support, help and kindness throughout my stay. It was definitely the little things that I will always remember .. from Valerie and Danielle washing my hair, to the hand holding and offering tissues on the more difficult days, to helping me, Gillian making me a cuppa, reading my hand writing on the chalk board and to Bronagh, Leah, Gina and Glaiza willing me on and telling me how well I was doing , showing me how to care for 'Talleluh' my Trachi and how all the team helped me so much. 

Catherine and Kate, Trachi nurse specialists always make me feel at ease and with their friendship, dedicated and ongoing care, attention & training pre and post surgery with my family and I, we feel much more confident to face this next chapter in my healing journey. 

With 3 surgeries during the Covid Pandemic  thank you for all your caring support.