Apart from saving on travel costs, it is far more serene and much calmer than on the wards
Almost three years ago, Janet went to her GP complaining of bleeding mouth ulcers. She was referred for a scan which revealed the worst possible news that it was terminal lung cancer, with a further MRI scan showing secondary brain cancer.
She immediately started immunotherapy (Nivolumab) at Cheltenham General Hospital, before being moved to continue her treatment plan on the mobile unit in nearby Stroud six months later. She has recently stopped treatment as the cancer hasn’t advanced further, and is currently awaiting her follow-up MRI scan.
Janet explains: “I live quite a way from the hospital, in a village called Cam, which is south of Gloucester. I much prefer the unit as I find it far less traumatic. Apart from saving on travel costs, it is far more serene and much calmer than on the wards with people rushing up and down. I’m 84, so it makes a big difference.”
Because of the “horrendous” traffic on the A40, the trip from her home to Cheltenham by taxi would often be lengthier than normal, as it was usually stationary. “It takes probably 5-10 minutes to get to the unit as opposed to almost an hour and 15 minutes to Cheltenham. It was just a lot of hassle; with cancer, you’re very tired anyway, so whatever you do knocks you back.”
She also prefers the atmosphere on the unit, because “you can talk to people whereas when you’re in the hospital they don’t always have the time as they’re so busy and nobody tells you anything.” While she “understands that, as that’s just how it works”, on the mobile unit, she feels
you can ask questions. It seems to be a far calmer situation. It’s quicker and more convivial, and time passes quickly.
Janet believes that the less frenetic, more personal environment is more conducive to human connection. “Sometimes people are upset on the mobile unit with what they’re going through, and you can just chat to reassure them, then everybody joins us in a conversation which is rather nice.”
“I’ve never been in hospital in my life, so to be told you have cancer is a huge shock. Having this service really helps. You tend to see the same people and can pick up the conversation again. I’m certainly not knocking the hospital and what they do for me, but it’s so much more pleasant and it’s wonderful. Long may it continue.”
Apart from saving on travel costs, it is far more serene and much calmer than on the wards
Almost three years ago, Janet went to her GP complaining of bleeding mouth ulcers. She was referred for a scan which revealed the worst possible news that it was terminal lung cancer, with a further MRI scan showing secondary brain cancer.
She immediately started immunotherapy (Nivolumab) at Cheltenham hospital, before being moved to continue her treatment plan on the mobile unit in nearby Stroud six months later. She has recently stopped treatment as the cancer hasn’t advanced further, and is currently awaiting her follow-up MRI scan.
Janet explains: “I live quite a way from the hospital, in a village called Cam which is south of Gloucester. I much prefer the unit as I find it far less traumatic. Apart from saving on travel costs, it is far more serene and much calmer than on the wards with people rushing up and down. I’m 84, so it makes a big difference.”
Because of the “horrendous” traffic on the A40, the trip from her home to Cheltenham by taxi would often be lengthier than normal, as it was usually stationary. “It takes probably 5-10 minutes to get to the unit as opposed to almost an hour and 15 minutes to Cheltenham. It was just a lot of hassle; with cancer, you’re very tired anyway, so whatever you do knocks you back.”
She also prefers the atmosphere on the unit, because “you can talk to people whereas when you’re in the hospital they don’t always have the time as they’re so busy and nobody tells you anything.” While she “understands that, as that’s just how it works”, on the mobile unit, she feels
you can ask questions. It seems to be a far calmer situation. It’s quicker and more convivial, and time passes quickly.
Janet believes that the less frenetic, more personal environment is more conducive to human connection. “Sometimes people are upset on the mobile unit with what they’re going through, and you can just chat to reassure them, then everybody joins us in a conversation which is rather nice.”
“I’ve never been in hospital in my life, so to be told you have cancer is a huge shock. Having this service really helps. You tend to see the same people and can pick up the conversation again. I’m certainly not knocking the hospital and what they do for me, but it’s so much more pleasant and it’s wonderful. Long may it continue.”
