New lease of life for Lorna after joining hospice programme

A WOMAN with secondary cancer is embracing life after she signed up for a lifestyle and mindset program at Nightingale House Hospice.

Lorna Laws, aged 55, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and was treated with the breakthrough drug Tamoxifen, after undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Lorna, from Llay, near Wrexham had little knowledge of the services on offer at Nightingale House apart from visiting a friend who had opted to come into the hospice for end-of-life care, several years ago. The mother of one has been delighted with the impact the hospice’s Positive Action Programme (P.A.P) has had on her. It’s aim is to educate and support people to self-manage their concerns.

An article in a local newspaper highlighting the new service caught her attention and talked about how it could help improve health and well-being and find positive ways to deal with those with cancer or chronic cancer. This includes cancer that cannot be cured or cancer that has come back.

The programme launched in late 2020 and is free and tailored to the needs of the individuals who attend. Topics covered over six, weekly sessions include:

• Managing Stress & Worry
• Keeping Active for Health
• Eating Well
• Managing Energy Levels and Fatigue
• Learning to Relax
• Moving on Toolbox

Lorna said her life had changed for the better because of the skills she learned on the programme: “I needed to have a referral from my nurse specialist Rose Oliver at Shooting Star, so when I showed her the newspaper story, she gave me the information leaflet about the program and made the referral on my behalf. Within a few days Clare Williams the Occupational Therapist at Nightingale House was in touch and I was booked onto the next Positive Action Programme.”

In 2019, Lorna who worked as a carer collapsed in work and it was discovered her cancer had returned, spreading to her liver and spine.

Lorna said: “I didn’t know what to expect when I started the programme as I was feeling quite poorly and like a lot of people, I kept thinking that the hospice is only for end-of-life care. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I was mesmerised by the place and it was just an amazing experience from the moment I walked in and was greeted by the receptionists who put me at my ease. They make you feel like you are a number one priority.

“No matter how down or poorly I felt when I arrived for the session, by the time I came out again I felt so much better. Our group laughed so much together and were able to empathise with each other. Although it was a group programme we were encouraged to talk to the group – I found out that one participant was under the same oncologist as me.

“Nothing is left and when I mentioned to Helen the physio that I was having problems managing my pain she immediately went off and found me a solution. It made me feel special and that I was being listened to.”

Lorna has been overwhelmed by the support she has received and said: “My daughter has said that the programme has had a positive impact on me. I had a poor quality of life before I attended the hospice with mobility, pain, breathing and my mental well-being. I learned useful breathing and relaxation techniques, with a tweak of my medication and it has made a huge difference to managing my symptoms and I have an entirely different perspective.”

Clare Williams, Occupational Therapist at Nightingale House and creator of the P.A.P said: “Here at Nightingale House we want to cultivate a positive approach to this type of illness and enhance people’s quality of life. The opening of our new rehabilitation facility and provision of the new programme is very much a positive step in this direction.

“We don’t just support people at end of life, we are here for those who are managing their illness on a day-to-day basis or who require a short admission. We are promoting being independent and supporting health and wellbeing at home.”

Lorna said she would highly recommend people in a similar situation to her to sign up and explore the services on offer at Nightingale House. She added: “I just want to say thank you to Clare and all the team at Nightingale House – the best gift you can give anyone is time and they have not only done that for me and supported me, but they are there to support my family as well.”

If you or someone you know believe they are eligible for the POSITIVE ACTION PROGRAMME and is 18 years or over and diagnosed with treatable but not curable cancer, then this programme can help you to self-manage your physical, mental and emotional health, to enhance the quality and enjoyment of your life. Referral is via a health care professional such as your specialist nurse, or palliative care team.

For more information or to enquire about how you can be referred contact Nightingale House on 01978 316800 or email info@nightingalehouse.co.uk