Cancer victim says Prospect are superb

5:26pm Wednesday 11th January 2012 in News

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Tony Sheen has praised Prospect Hospice for the care it has given him during the year after he was told he would have just six months to live.

Honda worker Tony, 53, from Stratton, was given a prognosis of just six months more than a year ago when he was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in November 2010.

“For me, it’s our own way of putting something back.”

- Tony Sheen

he was admitted to Prospect Hospice in Wroughton during the weekend before Christmas when the pain from his symptoms became too great to bear.

With the support of the expert teams at the hospice, Tony’s symptoms were controlled and managed to such an extent that he was able to return to the family home on Christmas Eve, and stay there until he was re-admitted to the hospice on Boxing Day.

he said he has defied all expectations thanks to the hsopice staff, as well as his family, friends and colleagues.

he has also shown his appreciation of the hospice’s care by donating £407 raised for him by his workmates towards the charity’s care.

“I really can’t thank them enough for all that they have done for me, and for my wife Carolyn too,” he said.

“The support has been incredible. That said, I was reluctant at first to accept that I needed the help of the hospice at all. I just wasn’t ready to hear it.”

Tony’s care since his diagnosis has involved the support of a Prospect Nurse Specialist – one of the community-based nurses who plan care packages for patients throughout their illness – and an occupational therapist, who has helped him and his wife adapt their home to meet his care needs.

Tony has also sought the support of the clinical psychologist who works with patients at the hospice and, when he has been at the great Western Hospital, he has been supported by the Prospect team there too.

During 2010, Carolyn regularly attended the monthly Carers’ Cafe that brings together people in the new and unfamiliar role of carer to share their experiences and offer mutual support. She has also attended a carers’ course run by the hospice’s family support team, and has also worked with the hospice’s welfare and benefits adviser to help lessen the financial concerns that are often well-known to carers.

Throughout 2011, the family has chosen to show its support for Prospect Hospice through a variety of events, with Tony’s full approval.

Son Luke and son-in-law Gareth both took part in the Swindon Half Marathon to raise funds in October, while future daughter-in-law Laura ran the same event for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Luke also took part in a sponsored rugby match for the Prospect Barbarians team in November, while Becky is planning a netball tournament for later this year.

Tony said: “I am very proud of them for getting involved because my illness could happen to anybody, and I want other people to receive the care I have had.

“For me, it’s our own way of putting something back.”

Tony has thanked the many friends he has made working for Honda over 25 years, where workers have been highly supportive ever since his diagnosis.

he also praised his GP Kerry Wallis, and the Jupiter Ward team at GWH, where Carolyn works.

he said: “There are many more I could thank too – and, of course, Carolyn especially. As long as I feel as well as I do now, I want to go on for as long as possible, enjoying the time that I have left with my family and friends.”

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Madison’s gran vows to raise awareness of childhood cancer

8:30pm Wednesday 28th December 2011 in News

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MADISON Allan’s grandmother has vowed to start an awareness campaign about childhood cancer Neuroblastoma.

Seven-year-old Madison, of Lord’s Crescent, lower Darwen, died on Boxing Day, having fought the aggressive tumour since being a baby.

Alison Foster, also of Lord’s Crescent, is keen for parents to know the early symptoms before it is too late.

she “It’s not just Maddi who has suffered from this, there are plenty more, and it needs highlighting.

“Sir Ian Botham did a lot to raise awareness of Leukaemia, and we need someone high profile to do the same for Neuroblastoma. I’m sure it can be done. “

she has previously said: “Neuroblastoma still has the same terrible survival statistics now that it had 20 years ago. we still use the same drugs to treat it that we did 45 years ago. This would be unacceptable in any adult disease.

“There are better drugs and therapies available in other countries, but because there is so much red tape in UK politics, we can’t get the drugs made legal for use in children.

“All that is needed is a nationwide campaign which promotes the signs and symptoms of Neuroblasoma to aid early detection, and one that aims to make the word commonplace in every day usage.

“Every year in the UK 100 more children have to fight this disease and most of them don’t make it because lack of awareness meant they were diagnosed too late. Lack of funding and awareness also means many of these children will have to seek treatment abroad.”

Neuroblastoma is cancer that develops from nerve tissue, occurring in infants and children.

It can occur in many areas of the body, but most begin in the abdomen in the adrenal gland or next to the spinal cord, or in the chest.

The disorder occurs in approximately 1 out of 100,000 children and is slightly more common in boys.

In most patients, the Neuroblastoma has already spread when it is first diagnosed.

Wootton Bassett mother-of-four dies after flu

1:25pm Thursday 3rd February 2011

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the family of mother-of-four Liz Reeves, who died after contracting swine flu, have taken comfort that her death has allowed two other people to live.

the family gave consent to the kidneys and liver of Ms Reeves, 53, of Brynards Hill, Wootton Bassett, being donated.

Ms Reeves and her partner Andrew Wickers, 51, who had been due to celebrate their 24th anniversary on Tuesday, have both been donor card carriers for about 30 years.

Mr Wickers said: “She would have liked to know that she had helped others.

“It helps us too, because we’ve given the gift of life to two other people.”

the organs have gone to a man, 55, who was on dialysis for six years, and a mother-of-two, also 55, who was on dialysis for nine years.

Ms Reeves had been healthy up to the day after Boxing Day when she was struck with flu-like symptoms. Within a week her ailments had worsened and on January 2 she was admitted to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon with breathing problems.

the following day she was put on an ECMO, a procedure to help circulate oxygen to her organs.

but during a routine check on January 5, staff discovered she had slight bleeding on the brain that had caused irreversible damage.

the family gave permission for her organs to be donated the following day.

No inquest is to be held.

Ms Reeves, who had worked in family therapy for many years, leaves four daughters Caroline, 31, Helen, 30, Anna, 16, and Rosie, 15.

she also has four grandchildren, Callum, 15, Keiran, 12, Dylan, ten, and Jacob, four.

Her parents, John and Sarah Knott, are 87 and 86.

more than 120 people attended her civil funeral service at the Memorial Hall on Friday when she was remembered for her “loving and kind-hearted nature” and her “charisma, wit and dazzling smile”.

See also the obituary.

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