I can’t put into words that I can have my chemotherapy at home
“I can’t even put into words how comforting it is to know that I can have my treatment at home.”
Kate has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment for two reoccurring tumours.
“[The nurses] come to my house and they literally do everything from the treatment to the pick line, cleaning, to bloods, you name it, they do it. It’s been fantastic! I can’t even put into words how comforting it is to know that I can have my treatment at home.”
About Kate
Kate is from Stock, Essex, where she lives with her husband and three children, and their three Labradors. Kate has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment for two reoccurring tumours.
Upon discovering blood after going to the toilet, Kate consulted with her GP and it was decided that she would have a colonoscopy. They found a four- centimetre tumour, and she was consequently diagnosed with stage two bowel cancer. Then, in 2016, they found a single metastasis on the left lobe of her liver. Two years later another single metastasis was discovered on her lung and she has since grown more.
How we support Kate
In October 2020, when Kate was told she would have to have additional chemotherapy treatment, her consultant referred her to LloydsPharmacy Clinical Homecare (LPCH). Kate wasn’t aware that LPCH provided oncology services at home, and she and her consultant both thought it would be a good fit. However, they were slightly concerned about availability due to Covid-19.
But Kate received an email that same day from LPCH with information confirming they would be able to assist her, along with further details on her treatment. Since then, LPCH nurses have been providing Kate with her chemotherapy treatment at home.
During chemotherapy treatment, Kate must have a pump connected to her waist for 48 hours, which then needs to be disconnected.
“Unless you’ve had [chemotherapy], I can’t quite describe how you feel once you’ve had the treatment,” says Kate, “…I suppose you could say I’m at my maximum of chemotherapy at that point when [the pump] needs to be disconnected. And I feel really rotten, I’m not going to lie! It does affect me quite badly. So [the nurses] come to the house, and they disconnect [the pump], and I can just lie there and heal and get better.”
Undergoing chemotherapy treatment can bring up many emotions in patients, including strong feelings of stress and anxiety. With LPCH, not only has Kate been able to proceed with her treatment in a comforting environment at home, but she also has the incredible support of LPCH nurses. They can help to calm her down if she’s feeling anxious prior to treatment, and they’re able to have a chat and a giggle to ensure that she’s feeling better.
“I enjoy that banter with the nurses, because it relaxes me prior to treatment, which I think is important as a patient,” says Kate. Once treatment has been completed, the nurses ensure that there are no lingering concerns before they leave.
Julie, an LPCH nurse, has administered Kate’s treatment on many occasions, and Kate says that Julie, as well as other nurses, have become good friends of hers during her treatment. “I love, and I can say this for all of [the nurses], their can-do attitude” says Kate, “And I love the way they explain everything to you, […] They don’t just assume that you know what’s going on; […] it’s nice to have that confirmation from the nurses, because at the end of the day it’s my body isn’t it? So, it’s really important that I understand what’s going on and they make sure that I do.”
“I’m not just a number. They really truly care.”
“The nurses just come to the house… and I can just lie there and heal and get better. I love their can-do attitude. Nothing’s too much trouble at all.”
