"The Bassetlaw District Nurse (South East) Team"

In September 2016, my mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Mum was extremely active, cycling almost every day and working in her garden. This was a huge shock to her and my family as the only symptom my mum had was 'itching'. Mum was looking forward to her eldest grandson's wedding in December and was full of life. After the results of a blood test, taken by her GP, she was sent for an urgent CT scan which showed that the cancer had spread to her liver. She was hospitalised immediately as she had become very jaundiced and was informed that insertion of a stent was required to bypass the growth. Mum remained in hospital for 3 weeks as the procedure to insert the stent failed 3 times. We were extremely anxious during this time and wanted mum home. She lived in the village that she was born in and would be surrounded by people who loved and cared for her. We persuaded her Consultant that we wanted Mum home as it appeared that the stent wasn't going to work and therefore she was left with a drain in place. My mum was a wonderful person who cared a lot for people and visited people who were lonely, she was an extremely loving person and we wanted Mum to be with us and if at all possible, to care for her at home. Mum was discharged into the Community from Doncaster RI. We, as a family didn't know what to expect, but soon after, Brett, the District Nurse arrived. At this point Mum was able to use the stairs and she was able to come downstairs for the day, but she was understandably feeling very low. Brett was absolutely wonderful, so kind and compationate. We we were having problems with where to put Mum's drain, (it always seemed to be in the way), but off Brett went to his car, to find a solution. Brett also suggested that we contact Mum's GP for a prescription to help with her mood. Brett took time to talk to Mum and to our family, he didn't rush and we felt safe in his hands. He made us feel that we could cope, with the help of the Team at home with Mum. I have to tell you that every member of the Team that nursed my Mum were exceptional, there wasn't one Nurse where we felt that we would have rather had one of the others. As we had refused any extra care for Mum as we so desperately wanted to do it ourselves, the support we received from the District Nurses was extremely important to us and every day we received that support. Just knowing that someone was at the end of the phone, or someone was going to call, gave us the strength to nurse Mum. Every last one of them showed patience, real care and a devotion to their job. Nothing was too much trouble and if they thought mum needed anything in the form of equipment, it arrived, either on the day or the next day. Mum sadly passed away, in her own bed, having had the exceptional care of this Team.