The diagnosis of cancer was incredibly difficult for him to come to terms with

This year’s Volunteers Week is 1st to 12th June and we’re recalling stories from some of our amazing peer volunteers. In today’s story dating from 2014 we hear from Bob, a volunteer peer advocate with Dorset Macmillan Advocacy. Bob supported Brian who was diagnosed with Myeloma:

Brian is very intelligent, friendly and outgoing with a great sense of humour. He can no longer drive and is in constant pain of varying levels and physically weak. He can only walk a matter of yards with the aid of a walking stick or frame.

He lives alone in a small communal block of flats and when I first met him had extremely low self-esteem. Although previously very well-travelled and active he felt that he had few future prospects of a happy life. He found his condition very hard to accept and suffered bouts of depression and often became upset when speaking about his situation.

The diagnosis of cancer was incredibly difficult for him to come to terms with. Even though in remission when I met him, it was still hard to bear. He still has a few good friends but is no longer independent so cannot socialise as much as he would like. He spends most of his time in his flat watching TV.

Brian’s cancer is now inactive and in remission for 2 years. He has regular appointments with his consultant and GP, both of whom he has a great deal of respect for. He speaks very highly of his current medical professionals. A variety of pain relief drugs have been tried and the latest drugs give relief for 12 hours each day as a maximum dose.

He sometimes becomes confused and forgetful. He has sometimes taken the wrong drugs or has forgotten to take them leading to potentially very serious problems. These have included passing out and hallucinations. I was present at one of these events. I’ve spoken to his nurses, doctors and consultants for his safety when he has taken incorrect medication.

Brian always speaks openly and honestly to me and we have a very good relationship. He knows that I understand him, will help him where ever I can and that I will never impose my views on him. We explore options to overcome problems or achieve things he wants to do. He loves to have a laugh and a joke too and not always to be reminded of the negative side of his situation.

I’ve arranged a bus pass, trials of motorised scooters, membership of the Myeloma Support Group and taken him to a meeting to introduce him. Whatever information Brian needs I source and provide it. Brian is able to speak up for himself. He did have an issue regarding his pain relief when in hospital. He decided not to take this further although I explained what the process would be to make a formal complaint.

Bob

Brian’s image of himself is now far more positive. He smiles more and we laugh and joke more than he used to. He has started to socialise more and is keener to “improve his lot” and not just accept his current situation. We have made a “bucket list” for 2014. I will help him achieve the things he wants to on it and help him make a list for 2015 too.

Brian is much happier to use aids such as motor scooters and walking aids than he used to be. He used to say that “only old people use those” (I have convinced him otherwise). Brian says he looks forward to our visits and really values them. He didn’t regularly contact his friends but now has an item on his bucket list to do this fortnightly. Several items on his bucket list show a massive improvement in his outlook. He will question his pain relief regimen himself now to gain improvements and changes.

When I met him at first he said “I am no longer any use to anyone. I will never have another relationship with a woman.” Now he says he looks forward to me visiting and having talks with me and he feels more positive about himself and he’s happy with his “2014 bucket list”.

 

Bob’s view and Brian’s story can be found in full in our publication Every Step of the Way which can be accessed here

 

 

Marie McWilliams, OPAAL

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‘Tell us what is really happening to you’

Health professionals want and need to know about the side effects that people are experiencing as a result of cancer treatment.  This was the message that came across strongly from Dr Rachel Hall, Consultant Haematologist, and Lisa Hammond, Stem Cell Transplant Specialist Nurse, when they spoke to the Dorset Myeloma Support Group in September.

Marion Summers, a volunteer advocate with Dorset Cancer Advocacy, is the support group’s organiser and works with the Group Leader Carole Jones. Dorset has double the national incidence of this rare cancer of the bone marrow owing to demographics but still a GP may only see one case in their whole career. For this reason Dorset GPs are visiting the clinic at Royal Bournemouth Hospital each week to increase their understanding of the disease and its diagnosis.

Rachel stressed that ‘one size does not fit all’ and that each individual needs to be carefully assessed when considering treatment options. The assessment takes in to account factors such as their environment, their support network and any other illness or health problems that they face.  Rachel said that she favours a multidisciplinary team approach and continuity from the health professionals’ side.

Front L – R Marion Summers, Rachel Hall, James Summers; Back L – R Lisa Hammond, Carole Jones

The management of side effects is crucial in aiming for good quality of life for patients. Lynn Maxwell of the Community Cancer Nursing Service, said that her team advise patients to document their side effects and bring this record with them to appointments.  Rachel Hall said it helps to be able to look back over several months and pinpoint possible causes of certain side effects. She described how having a diary on hand avoids the possibility of seeing the doctor after a particularly good week and forgetting to mention that the previous three had been very difficult.

Some patients may feel they can’t or shouldn’t talk or complain about side effects but Lisa Hammond said ‘Be honest… tell us what is really happening to you.  Don’t be afraid that we will stop your treatment. A lower dose could reduce or eliminate the side effects.’

Rachel recommended that patients prepare for an appointment by writing down any specific questions about their treatment, then if the answers given aren’t clear asking for more explanation. Taking up the opportunity to talk to the nurse specialist at a separate appointment for more information and to gain a thorough understanding can help too.

Marion said afterwards ‘I think the participants benefited from Rachel Hall’s talk because she was able to explain the aims of treatment in achieving a remission or plateau of multiple myeloma, to preserve a quality of life, extend remission and length of life and to prevent complications and control symptoms. She also explained better use of existing drugs and what new drugs are on the horizon.  Participants had the opportunity to question Rachel and Lisa about different treatments, the advisability of having vaccination against Shingles, and the time scale of when new drugs will become available.  The feedback from the members after the meeting was very positive.’