"My mother and I were considered at all times, her welfare was always given priority"

In August 2013 my mother developed double vision. I rang 111 and they advised me to take her to A&E at Kettering General. We were greeted by helpful staff and did not have to wait long to be seen despite it being Bank Holiday weekend and a Saturday. After tests, they informed us she had had a mini stroke. As a precausion she was taken to MAU, later to be discharged home that night. The staff there doctors and nurses were amazing and treated her with the greatest respect and professionalism. My mother avoided doctorss and hospitals all her life, only being in to have my brother and me in the 50's, a mole removed in the 60's and when she slipped on black ice in the 80's. Not bad for a lady born in 1926.

The appointments followed very quickly and through this experience at KGH, she lost her fear of hospitals and medical staff.

On the late October 2013, my mother was unwell and as I was in Blackpool, an ambulance was called. They were amazing and she got into the ambulance without a care in the world. We were kept informed at all times from Deene A and B. I was told she could go home on the Monday. I duly went to fetch her at 2 and was told to wait as the Doctors wanted to speak to me. I was then informed my mother had taken a turn and they had decided she would be better off on ICU. I was allowed to go with her and the team. I was asked if I would give them time to settle her, so went home and came back 2 hours later. She had now been set up on all sorts of machines and only then did I realise what a sick lady she really was.

The team called me on Tuesday and were so helpful and very kind and asked me how long she had had breast cancer. This was a shock to me as my mother was always so well and full of life. Apparently my mother had kept this to herself not wanting to upset anyone. At all times in the 6 days she was on ICU, I have never received such wonderful helpful professional treatment in my life. My mother and I were considered at all times, her welfare was always given priority. The kindness was amazing. I was called on the Saturday to a meeting and very gently informed the cancer had now taken a told on her and was ripping through her body. I was never put under pressure or led in any way. I then made the painful decision to turn off the machines which were now keeping her alive. The whole team were there for me and kindness was flowing from everyone. She passed away at 00.15 on the 3rd November.

I would like to express my deepest thanks to everyone at KGH who stood by me in this trying time and helped this amazing lady in her hour of need.