Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Lifeline for me’
enough, it’s been so useful to chat because even though I’m married, I feel like I’m going through it on my own.
“My wife knows I’m ill, I have explained it to her, but she doesn’t retain it.
“She’s got no idea I might be dead before her and I don’t have any other family nearby to talk to.
“The centre has been a Godsend for that; having someone to talk to who understands.”
Paul, originally from Yorkshire, was diagnosed in July last year and underwent surgery in October to remove the cancer from his mouth.
However a lymphoid burst in his neck, meaning he now has to undergo six weeks of chemotherapy and radium treatment, which started in mid-December.
Paul says he had no idea he was so ill prior to his diagnosis and assumed he had bitten his cheek through the anxiety of caring for his wife, who has found lockdown and social distancing restrictions particularly difficult.
Paul said: “When someone tells you that you have cancer, you feel like crying. You wouldn’t expect that, being a man, but it really hits you.
“I’m an optimist though, I don’t think I am going to die before my wife, my cancer is one which is good to treat and everything is very uplifting at Maggie’s and in the chemotherapy and radium departments.
“It’s a breath of fresh air because I have enough on my plate.”
As well as offering Paul emotional support, Maggie’s has helped him to access funds and provided a comfortable place to unwind between treatments.
Due to current Covid restrictions, “drop-in” visitors to the centre must give prior notice of their arrival and provide track and trace details.
They are also asked to wear masks and follow sanitising and social distancing measures.
Head of the centre, Karen MacKinnon, said the pandemic has not stopped the charity offering its usual services and it is continuing to support around the same number of people as last year.
She said: “We have a lot of people coming in who are newly diagnosed with cancer.
“I get the feeling that the service is running as normal even with all the changes.
“And we’re running our full programme of workshops and groups virtually, which has worked out well for those who live far away or who are shielding.
“It is a shame we’re not able to do the drop-in service. That is a loss. But our virtual groups have been going a long way to keeping people connected.”
People with cancer and their family members can arrange appointments with cancer support specialists at the centre, as well as psychologists and benefits advisers, or use the library and quiet space.
The centre’s online programme hosts workshops on a wide range of topics, including cooking and dietary benefits, mindfulness, stress and sleep management and facilitates peer support groups.
For more information, visit Maggie’s Dundee website at maggies.org.