Patient Perspective - Ian Walters
Ian and his Wife Sue live in Corby but were originally from Hertfordshire.
4 years ago, in 2020 Ian was diagnosed with Melanoma on a birth mark that he has on his thigh.
He went straight into treatment, and he said that the NHS were amazing. He has a great Cancer Specialist at Leicester Royal Infirmary who immediately did surgery to remove as much of the skin/tumour as possible. Quickly followed by another two surgeries in the hope to remove all of the skin/tumour. He was put onto immunotherapy medication but unfortunately the cancer had already spread into the Lymph Glands so another surgery to excise all the lymph glands in the thigh was necessary.
Ian was then clear of Cancer for 15 months, but unfortunately it came back again. They couldn’t do more surgery as it was deep into the pelvis by now. However, they put Ian onto a different type of immunotherapy which has amazingly shrunk the tumour. Ian now has a much better prognosis we are very pleased to say.
Through the treatment Ian was struggling with the emotional and mental effects of having cancer so his family suggested that he give Lakelands a try.
Ian and Sue came along to the hospice on a Wednesday for a visit to see if he thought it would benefit him. Ian was very surprised and found the hospice to be nothing like he expected. He found everyone friendly and welcoming and very easy to talk to.
Ian now visits every Wednesday and believes that at Lakelands he gets a very holistic approach to his health and mental health. He can talk to others in the same boat, and he feels it makes him open up more about his condition.
Ian said “Coming to Lakelands has helped me deal with my feelings and emotions of having Cancer. It’s very beneficial to me and my family and my wife gets one day of respite in the week as I worry about her too as she does so much for me. I can have private conversations with the nurses about anything that is bothering me. Lakelands Hospice is a wonderful Institution that I love coming to every Wednesday.
If you, or anyone you know feel they could benefit from our Day Services please contact ourNurse Manager Cathy on 01536 747755.
Volunteer Story - Betty Dunn
After training as a Florist year ago, my tutor asked me if I would like to go and work for her at Margaret’s Flowers in Weldon. I worked there, part time with her for 10 years then she told me she was retiring.
I loved my job & wondered what I would do with my time now. One of our lovely customers Louisa suggested that I should volunteer at Lakelands… which I did & I’m still there now over 16 years later.
I volunteer at the hospice in the kitchen where I help our cook Beth over lunch time.
Some of my duties include washing up, loading & unloading the dishwasher, setting the tables in the day room & serving the patients their lunch. When they are finished, I clear the tables & put all the dishes away.
I volunteer Tuesday & Wednesday every week & sometimes do extra if needed.
I really love chatting with the patients, other volunteers & staff & I have made so many lovely friends there.
I would definitely recommend to anyone thinking of volunteering to give it a go. I get so much more out of it than I give.
Lakelands is such a wonderful place to volunteer & I am so proud to be part of our amazing Lakelands Family.
If you would like to join our team of volunteers please contact Jackie Henry on 01536 747755 for more details.
