‘My community cancer support group is brilliant’
AYEAR after a life-saving operation, a pensioner has described his care as “brilliant” and said his care has continued in the community.
Last May, John Bailey had stomach pains for two-weeks which wouldn’t go away and went to West Lancashire NHS walk-in centre at Ormskirk hospital.
An x-ray showed he had a tumour in his gut and he was sent to Southport Hospital for surgery.
The cancerous growth was removed from his bowel the next day.
He has since made good recovery and recently returned from a family holiday in France.
John, from Aughton, near Ormskirk, who turned 80 this month, said: “The care I received was brilliant and everything was explained in such simple language by Mr Harish Babu and Mr Krishnan Gokul.
“They were so comforting. I couldn’t have wished for a better health service.”
Hospital staff and Macmillan Cancer Support are continuing to monitor and give advice and guidance to John through telephone conversations as well as informal monthly meetings of a colorectal support group.
He said: “I really benefit from the monthly meetings.
“It gives you an opportunity to sit down and talk to friendly and helpful people who have suffered exactly the same as you.
“We also sometimes meet up and go out for a meal.
“It’s a really good network of friends who all provide support to one another.”
Stacey Boden, a Macmillan cancer nurse specialist at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, added: “The group is very informal, friendly and relaxed and we have, on average, 10 to 15 patients and family members at each session.
“We offer professional support and advice over a cup of tea.
“It’s a great opportunity to meet people in a similar situation and to talk about ways of overcoming difficulties.
“We are even planning a day out over the summer to the Lake District.”
The Colorectal Cancer Support group meets on the second Friday of each month between 1pm and 3pm at The Grove Community Centre, Station Approach, Burscough, L40 0RZ (next to Burscough Bridge train station). For further information please telephone 01704 704250.
The monthly Friday sessions will be on: July 13, August 10, September 14, October 12, November 9 and December 14.