Anita’s story

Impact on patients and families

One thing Anita struggled with when she was diagnosed with cancer was telling her youngest son, Harry, who was just 11 at the time. Anita relied on Michele Pengelly, Supportive Care Lead Nurse, for support, and to help her navigate conversations with Harry by using the charity-funded ‘Caring for My Family with Cancer’ books and lion teddies. Anita described how Harry enjoyed seeing areas local to Cardiff in the books, especially as they were places the family would often go for walks. Anita has since taken the books into her school so the whole community of pupils and their families can make use of them.

Anita also spoke highly of her Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Sarah Davies, who was there at the other end of the phone whenever Anita needed to ask questions. Anita recalls one time when her chemotherapy was cancelled, she called Sarah in a panic. Sarah was incredibly reassuring and took the time to answer all of Anita’s questions, always finding out information, before coming back to her with the answers.

Anita mentioned to her CNS Sarah that she could do with some support and Sarah referred her to the clinical psychologist and counselling team.

It was here, Anita met with clinical psychologist, Dr Caroline Coffey. With Caroline, Anita opened up about the journey she’d been on and really began to process what had happened. Caroline helped Anita come to terms with what she’d been through and how to live her life moving forward.

After finishing her treatment towards the end of 2022, Anita had to undergo a major 10-hour surgery to remove the tumour. The surgery was so extensive that Anita didn’t know if she would come through the other side of it. Thankfully, Anita’s surgery was successful, but then she had to start the long journey of recovery.