Janet

Janet is living with secondary breast cancer and has been accessing services at Barnsley Hospice for around five years.

Having been initially diagnosed in 2018, Janet first came into contact with the hospice’s counselling service, before attending on a Wednesday at the hospice’s day service in The Orangery.

Janet says, “I knew about the hospice as I had a friend who was nursed here. I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer nearly seven years ago. It’s now in my bones, and predominantly the neck and shoulders. I had awful pain and had paid for physio myself for a couple of years.

“Eventually I got the secondary diagnosis. I can’t describe the pain. I absolutely had excruciating pain, I couldn’t use my arm and my fingers were like electric.

“I didn’t know much about the hospice other than the inpatient unit. I attended Weston Park, who have been amazing, but they felt they’d done as much as they could, so they referred me to Barnsley Hospice.

“I had some counselling. I didn’t really want to talk to family in great depths about things so the counselling was really useful. From then I came to a couple of sessions of the CHAT programme with a friend. I enjoyed it but sadly my friend died and I didn’t come for a while.”

Janet was then referred once again to Barnsley Hospice after having trouble with her neck due to her cancer diagnosis.

“I came to see Heike, the physiotherapist. She has just been amazing. I can’t tell you the difference it’s made for me. Heike, how she observes and listens. She gets me. She understood me. I’ve had acupuncture, which seems to have suited me. I’d never had it before and if you’d told me years ago I’d be having acupuncture and mindfulness I’d have laughed it off. The combination of acupuncture and physio has been amazing. The main problem has been my neck and not being able to move it. I was almost fixed, but with the acupuncture and learning some relaxation, it has made a world of difference. Heike has worked on my jaw and ears, by no means was it instant, it’s been a couple of years to fully feel a benefit.

“Coming back to the CHAT sessions and having mindfulness sessions, I’ve really learned to relax. The mindfulness and relation has been amazing. I still have medication and treatment, but it’s given me my life back. That’s all I can say, it has given me my life back.”

Janet was a keen crafter and knitter prior to her diagnosis, but sadly had to give it up due to her worsening symptoms. Now, Janet is able to enjoy her hobbies once again.

“I could hardly talk because it hurt my neck and my head. I used to do loads of crafts, knitting and sewing, I had to stop doing everything. I couldn’t even do a jigsaw as I couldn’t sit at a table and put my head down. I’ve learned bit by bit. It’s through coming here, Chris, Heike, Dawn and Diane, they’ve all helped me. They’ve changed my life. I can’t do things like I used to, but I can still do them.

“It has given me my life back. I do not know the position I’d be in if I hadn’t have started coming here.

“It’s the friendliness, the listening, they get to know you and point you in the right direction and it’s such a warm environment – safe and caring. The staff here look at you and know if you’re not looking so good. It’s the listening, caring and opportunity to share. It’s the learning as well, as I’ve learned how to treat myself. I wouldn’t have had any idea how to do all these things had I not come here. I wouldn’t have known how to relax as I’ve never relaxed in my life! The staff are so knowledgeable, and it’s all in a friendly environment. I’ve been coming here probably five years. It’s like a group of friends. We share so much. Everyone shares different tips and it’s good to know that there are other people in the same situation as you.

If you are interested in finding out more about our services, please visit our services page here.