Judy's Story

We’re proud to provide care and compassion that changes lives across Teesside. Thank you to Judy, who has shared her story of how our In-Patient Unit had a life-changing impact for her and her family:

“5 years ago, I got a diagnosis for rectum cancer, which resulted in me having major surgery to remove my rectum and receive a stoma. It was during lockdown, alongside doing radiotherapy for 5 weeks, and it was a really tough time for me and Eric, my husband.

After that I was fine again and started leading a normal life, until the cancer came back in my lung, leading to another surgery to remove a piece of my lung. I got on with my life again, I tried my best and I plodded on because I’m a ‘can do’ person.

Not long ago, I went for my routine CT scan and it showed I had cancer in my kidney. They can’t do anything for me and I understand that, but they can try and give me a better quality of life - I’m not ready to go yet, I’m doing good!

James Cook contacted the hospice to see if I could come into the In-Patient Unit, and since I’ve been here they’re getting me back to myself again. I can move my leg again, and thanks to the physio and complementary therapists they’re going to massage it and help me with the right creams to get back to where I need to be.

My medication is working, and I feel like I’m moving forwards. Every day is going to be different, but you’ve got to have a positive outlook to get through it. My family is wonderful, Eric tries his best, and I’ve got the support that I need.

The hospice is a wonderful place, the nurses are like angels, and they would do anything for me. I can’t praise them enough! Before I came in here I was scared, I didn’t know what to expect and I was in pain. It’s the best thing I ever did coming here, there was no need to be nervous.

I’ve got pictures and flowers all around my room to help make me feel at home. I’m excited to go to the wellbeing groups because I’m a people person and I could talk to anybody. I can be at the supermarket till and think to myself ‘that person might not have spoken to anybody today’ so I’ll make a conversation and say something like ‘those are lovely biscuits!’ Those little things help other people and I’m looking forward to chatting to people at the hospice’s groups.

It’s hard living at home for me and my husband, things like getting out of bed and getting to the bathroom, I was worried. Where now, I feel safe, I’m confident again, it’s made me a different person.”