‘There’s hope’
continuing treatment. However, all my tumours had shrunk considerably on the latest CT scan. My husband and I wondered if surgery might now be possible. “Scans of my liver were arranged and while awaiting the opinion of the surgeon, for the first time I had hope. If the bowel and liver tumours could be removed it was likely my life might be extended considerably beyond what could be achieved with
Without hospital treatment, very sick Covid-19 patients would be dead within a matter of hours, or days. Most cancer patients did not fall into that category. Our needs were not a priority. Not now.
“In my life I have been very fortunate in so many ways but my luck is running out. No one knows when the pandemic will end. My oncologist doesn’t know when any treatment can recommence.
“I had spent seven months coming to terms with the likelihood my 97-year-old mother would outlive me. Now I have to learn to cope with the thought I could end my days in social isolation. My husband and dog could be the only beings I would be able to say my last goodbyes to in person. “I have still not heard whether my liver tumour might be operable. My hope of having life-extending surgery is very tenuous at this point.
“I would never wish cancer upon anyone, but the truth is that it teaches you what is important in life. Friends and family are more precious than I ever realised. Being kind to people feels good – much better than being cleverly mean. There are no certainties and death is inevitable. I have embraced all of these and find myself in a place of peace. I wish I’d found it years ago.”
Since writing her moving story, Ann Morgan told the KM she was pleased to report she has a small glimmer of hope, after phone discussions with her consultants.
She said: “If my liver tumours can be shrunk by a few millimetres then surgery could be possible. I’ve started six cycles of chemotherapy in the hope that the necessary millimetres can be shaved off the liver tumours.
“So from my perspective cancer treatment is re-starting. I very much hope that this will be the case for all the other cancer patients for whom the arrival of Covid 19 meant an uneasy hiatus in their diagnosis, treatment and monitoring.”
Nuffield Health says its hospitals have been made available to the NHS and all treatment decisions are made using NHS England guidelines. Dr Navin Kumta, GP and chair of NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said radiotherapy and chemotherapy services continue and urgent cancer treatment will be provided away from where Covid-19 treatments. Macmillan Cancer Support offers a seven-day helpline between 9am-5pm on 0808 808 00 00.