Experiences around cancer treatment praised

BEING diagnosed with prostate cancer is daunting.

To then be told I would have to go to Dunedin for treatment miles from my home in Weston is also daunting. Your thoughts turn to costs, accommodation, meals, travel, etc.

But in Dunedin I have the privilege of staying at Daffodil House, a stone’s throw from the hospital, free of charge, thanks to donations from the kind people of New Zealand. I also get a travel allowance from a goverment fund to help cancer patients.

This to me is absolutely an incredible saving and it helps keep your mind on the major problem, cancer.

On entering the radiation department I was met by a group of nurses who sang Happy Birthday. Then into the treatment room for the radiation — 20 minutes; all over until tomorrow.

The staff in this department always have smiles on their faces, greet you like a longlost friend, always ask how things are going and always care for you.

I cannot speak highly enough of what they do and how they deal with the daily routine.

For seven and ahalf weeks these people have treated me with exceptional grace and passion, and I cannot thank them enough for that. To Andre and the team, you are the best.

To Sandra at Daffodil house — you are another lovely lady who makes the best scones!

I wish you all a wonderful life and that one day a cure will be found for cancer.

[Abridged]