"I feel very lucky to be so well looked after."

I went to my GP with basic symptoms, tiredness, weight loss, ongoing cough. Three weeks later to the day I was sat in the chemo suite having my first treatment. What amazing speed. In that time I had had blood tests and a chest X-ray which showed a shadow on my lung. My GP arranged for me to go to the Kingsfold unit where I had an insane amount of tests within a few hours and my husband and I were told that it was cancer. It wasn't how we had imagined spending my eldest daughters fourth birthday! The exact type of cancer was unknown at this point and an hour after being told that it was cancer I was sent for a biopsy.

We were so impressed with the Kingsfold Unit, having thankfully never needed it before. Everyone was lovely, the speed that all the tests were done and analysed. But also how organised and respectful they were. We were told in such a nice and calm way that it was cancer, with a Macmillan nurse and told immediately of the next steps. I had to stay in hospital overnight but had my own room which was nice to digest the news in private. The next morning the same people who told me the news came to see me in the room to see how I was which was lovely.

From there it was diagnosed as Hodgkins Lymphoma and chemotherapy started just a few days later. We were assigned a cancer nurse and were given lots of information to take away and digest. Everything seemed very streamlined and smooth with a clear path laid out. It was a lot to take in but we were given clear steps and took it one thing at a time.

First time at the chemo suite and I was pleasantly surprised. The room was larger than I had expected and very light. With hot drinks, cold drinks available and lunch if we were there over lunchtime - mix this with the friendly, informative staff and radio in the background and it was very relaxed for what they did and a hospital. A few days after my first treatment was my youngest daughters first birthday. The haematology team whilst being careful and warning me of risks were also great in encouraging me to try to continue as much as normal and still do and enjoy things.

Unfortunately I soon had an infection, had to go to A&E at night. The next morning my cancer nurse came and saw me up there. It was lovely and reassuring to see a friendly face. I spent 4 nights in the Godstone haematology ward, in a room alone with low neutrophils and everyone was lovely, making me feel at ease. Even the food was nice! Thankfully my chemo was given only a couple of days late.

Further down my treatment I had lots of trouble breathing, my oxygen levels were very low. Up to haematology- my new A&E! - breathing tests, scans and my lungs were 'grey'. Up to Kingsfold as time got later and I was admitted to Tilgate Annexe where I spent a week recovering. Every day someone from the haematology team came to see me and the way the two departments communicate and work together is amazing. It's not certain whether I had an infection or whether it was a side affect of the chemo drug bleomisphine. Either way they patched me up - yet again - and I'm very grateful.

Another time I called as I felt like I was being strangled.  My neck and face had swelled and I was turning blue and they told me to come up to haematology. My consultant and nurse were waiting and immediately suspected a blood clot. I was walked immediately round to a CT scan where it was confirmed. What amazing treatment!

Similar story a few weeks later - I saw my respiratory consultant for a regular check up and told him I had the same feeling as a clot. Straight to a CT scan and round to haematology for my PICC line wash. By the time it had been done, my consultant had heard and looked on her computer to see if the results were in yet. The scans were not only there but also a report written up - a pulmonary embolism. She was genuinely gutted for me and immediately called my respiratory consultant to discuss it.

Thankfully that's the end of my adventures, unless you count being sick in the chemo suite during my last treatment!

As you can see, I've been quite unlucky with various things alongside my chemo but I actually feel very lucky. I feel very lucky to be so well looked after. Everyone I have seen has been amazing and that's a lot of people and departments! Communication has been fantastic and I feel like nothing is too much trouble, people really go out of their way to help you. They don't realise how their smiles make such a huge difference to my day and help me through all of this. 

A huge thanks to everyone involved in my care. Especially my team in haematology- my consultant Dr. O'Donavan, the special registrar Dr. Draga, Alison, Ian, Deidre and all the other chemo nurses. I am so grateful to them.