Being diagnosed with a life-limiting condition is hard on both the person concerned and their family and friends. However, that's why we're here and why our doctors and nurses do the jobs they do. They look after and support those who need them the most and do all they can to make sure patients are as comfortable as they can be.
This experience is true for City Hospice patient, Roger Palmer, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2015 and has been seeing Clinical Nurse Specialist, Kath, ever since.
"I'd been getting some pretty bad pain in my spine, so I went to my GP and he sent me for an X-Ray. The doctor then thought that the X-Ray should be investigated further and sent me for an MRI scan. I had to wait a few weeks to get the results but when I went, the doctor said 'Look, I'm sorry I've got some bad news for you.' At first, it was thought to be Myeloma, which is how it appeared on the scan. However, after further tests, I was told it was prostate cancer which had spread to my bones.
This is where Cardiff's local hospice got involved.
Meeting Clinical Nurse Specialist, Kath, really helped the couple. Kath was called in to help manage Roger's pain and has been a great support ever since.
And it wasn't just managing Roger's symptoms that the couple appreciated.
The couple have been so positive and this hasn't gone unnoticed by those supporting them.
"When we asked about how long I had left, the doctor originally gave us up to two years. I asked another doctor what he thought of that. He said 4-5 years but it could be 7. Every time I go for my treatments, they comment on how positive I am. I've just had my 70th birthday and that was a milestone we set ourselves and I think it's fair to say that our next one is our Golden Wedding Anniversary in two years' time. And then I get to 75, then 80. It's good to have milestones.
If you'd like to get involved in the City Hospice Light Up a Life appeal, please visit the page here. If you'd like to make your donation over the phone, please call the Fundraising Team on 02920 524150.