In Touch magazine - Autumn / Winter 2017

6 Visit us www.thameshospice.org.uk or call us 01753 842121 7
Christine and Sue’s Story
“The staff have changed my
life and given me freedom”
Diagnosed with breast cancer 13 years ago, Sue Crossland, who lives in Windsor,
has been referred to our Day Therapy Unit for support and complementary therapy.
Here she met Christine Gregory, from Iver Heath, who was diagnosed with cancer
in December 2014. Forming a friendship at their weekly sessions, since 2016
these lively ladies have now been enjoying the benefits that come with
our expert care, which is free to those who need it
Struggling at home, Christine looked for comfort from her
local church. She said: “It’s funny really, I heard about the
Hospice when I met a community nurse at the church. I had
been finding it very difficult walking and getting out and she
said: “I have noticed that you are having difficulty – are you
getting any help from anybody?’ I said I hadn’t really and
then she told me there was a lot of help out there for me
and started talking to me about Thames Hospice.”
With Sue’s cancer diagnosis changing, she needed extra
support and was referred to our services by her Breast Care
Nurse. She said: “I’ve had breast cancer on and off for 13 years
and I’ve had all sorts of treatment, including chemotherapy.
But last September, I had to go to weekly treatment and I was
awaiting some results. It was quite funny actually because
I took my cousin with me to my appointment; it was the
first time I had taken anyone with me. I knew this time that
if the Breast Care Nurse came into the room I was in trouble,
and the Breast Care Nurse came in.
“I was a bit worried about coming
to the Hospice at first; I think it’s the
word Hospice. But luckily, I knew from
a friend who had used hospice services
that hospices are supportive and offer
complementary therapy, so I knew
Thames Hospice would be a good
support system for me.”
She added: “Now my life is all about spending time with
people. People won’t remember how clean your house
is, they will remember the time they have spent with you.”
At Thames Hospice we hope the holistic care we provide,
including our Day Therapy Services – which involve arts and
crafts and gentle exercise – will give people the chance to
meet others in a similar situation and maintain a good quality
of life despite their condition. Sue said: “Coming here for my
first session was a bit daunting; I had forgotten how to meet
new people and, as ex-cabin crew, this was weird. The first
week was worrying but I soon felt relaxed.”
Christine and Sue have appreciated the support our staff and
volunteers have given them, and the social aspect of the
sessions has helped them find their confidence again and friends
in each other. Christine explained: “Coming here has made me
feel alive again. I really got in a rut before coming here. I was
stuck in the house in a small village on my own a lot and it’s
hard to adjust. It’s tricky to get out and about, and I couldn’t
see my friends.” Christine continued: “The Hospice arranges
for a Volunteer Driver to pick me up and take me to the weekly
sessions; I think it’s wonderful they offer this service. All the
staff and volunteers are so supportive; they have really changed
my life and given me freedom. The physio has also helped so
much and I can definitely walk a bit better now and for longer;
I never had that support before coming to the Hospice.”
Sue continued: “I love the arts and crafts that we do and
normally I wouldn’t do those kinds of things, so it’s got me
out of my comfort zone. I didn’t think I was arty but I’ve found
it rewarding here. Making a dream catcher was great, I had
glue everywhere and feathers stuck to me and I loved it. I call
the Hospice my ‘arts and crafts morning’, as that’s how I like
to think about it. It’s been good for me to meet new people;
I was out of practice with not being at work, but coming here
has helped with that social side.”
Christine added: “I am so thankful that I could come here;
I can’t thank everyone enough. It’s really brought me back
again and we all get on well and have a laugh and a joke.
The rest of the group are so lovely and genuine. We talk about
anything and you don’t feel like a patient here; we don’t really
talk about our illnesses, we just have a chat and a joke.”
As a charity, we rely on voluntary donations to raise 80% of
the £7 million needed to run the Hospice each year and our
Day Therapy Unit is funded by these donations. Sue finished
by urging the community to get behind the Hospice, whether
that is by donating their time, money or unwanted items
to our shops. She said:
“The Hospice is there for support while
you are living. It is unfortunate that more
people don’t know about the great work
you do and ongoing support you offer.
The Hospice is one of the charities I give
to; I have also just given my local Thames
Hospice shop loads of my donations; it’s
so important. Whenever someone wants
to give money on my behalf I encourage
them to give to the Hospice.”
If you would like to make a one-off or regular donation to Thames Hospice, visit www.thameshospice.org.uk/donate