“You are living with cancer rather than cancer taking over – that is what we are hoping for.” These are the empowering words from South Eastern Trust’s Macmillan Clinical Educator Dr Suzie Smyth who was one of a host of keynote speakers at Ards Leisure Centre’s Lung Health and Wellbeing event held for patients and their families.
Diagnosed and living with an incurable form of lung disease, inspirational Bangor based patient Monica Johnston said she found it of “great benefit” to attend the wellbeing event.
“I have found such support through Marie Curie and it’s what they have offered me from the offset. The event has been very beneficial as I’ve got to meet other people and found out about other services that are available to me, some of which I was unaware of up until today. Certainly meeting other people who are in similar conditions is of great support,” said Monica.
Monica continued: “As I progress with this journey it’s important for me to know that these services are available and that there is someone always at the end of the phone 24/7 when I need them most.”
With her own nursing career spanning an incredible 46 years, Monica added that her own mindset has changed since her initial diagnosis. “I would say to those going through the journey, keep an open mind. Basically you feel that it is the end of the road for you in your diagnosis, however, I have become more aware and it’s made me stronger in the person I am, the person I am with my family and the support services available to me to make me want to go on. There is fight in me yet.”
With the focus of the day very much on health and wellbeing, those in attendance heard from a range of guest speakers including Assistant Macmillan Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator Jemma Ewing, Cancer Focus Counsellor Alison Nicholl and Marie Curie Nurse Consultant Lesley Rutherford. Information stands and staff from the South Eastern Trust’s Smoking Cessation Service, Safe and Well Service and ‘Look Good Feel Better’ as well Bangor based Rosie’s Trust teams were also on hand to offer advice to those participating.
South Eastern Trust’s Macmillan Clinical Educator Dr Suzie Smyth explained how the event was held to reassure patients that they are “not alone.” “Those who came today, along with their families have all been on a similar journey and an important part of that journey is knowing what services, what information is available to you from the point of diagnosis, treatment, post treatment and to enable those patients the power to get the information that they need.”
Dr Smyth continued: “Many of the patients have been through a journey already and the next step is ‘what can we do now?’ The focus is then on keeping you, the patient, well through diet and to keep moving. What I say to patients is that their loved ones want to wrap them in cotton wool at this time but we really say to try and keep as normal as you can. What we are here to do is to try and keep you well to do the things you want to do.”
Dr Smyth described the importance of good diet and exercise for those who have or are experiencing cancer treatment as, “really important.” “We’ve only really realised how important diet and exercise are in recent years. You are going through a time when the last thing on your mind is diet. People don’t feel hungry due to the anxiety and stress that comes with going through the journey. We definitely know that if you can stay strong, the treatments aren’t as hard on you. You are living with cancer – rather than cancer taking over and that is what we are hoping for.”
Assistant Macmillan Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator Jemma Ewing added, “This event is really an opportunity for us to remind patients of the services that are available to them. Whenever a patient completes their treatment or are living with a diagnosis it can be really hard to know who to talk to or who to reach out to. The team are very much available and we want to support them. We are a Trust based service and a bit of ‘one stop shop’ that will explore everything that is available to the patient.”
“Often when patients do finish their treatment, it can feel like an isolating time. It is important to provide an easy ‘go to’ way of getting support so that the patient doesn’t feel like they are going ‘round the houses’ to get it. It’s really important that we are here to support the patient as our team don’t have a deadline of support, we are very fluid and we just leave that very open ended.”
