Hucknall cancer survivor helped by award winning psychology team

Wendy, aged 59, had extensive surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy which left her with speech and mobility problems.

Wendy said: “I’ve always been a people person, I worked in customer services all my life, so being able to talk to people is a massive thing for me.

"But now I have problems with my speech, sometimes I slur my words and I can only talk for a short period of time.

"It really affected my confidence and I became a bit of a recluse.

"I also really struggled with fatigue which made it very hard going back to work.

"I’ve always worked hard and been a high achiever so to have my career taken away from me is really difficult and I’m still figuring out what I can do now.”

Dr Sanchia Biswas, a Macmillan Clinical Psychologist, has been helping Wendy rebuild her confidence.

Wendy said: “Sanchia has been wonderful. It’s like having a friend who understands, I can tell her exactly how I’m feeling, she’s really helped me.

"When you’re going through treatment you’re in a little bubble, with all these health professionals around you and then suddenly it finishes and you find yourself alone with no one to talk to. "I was feeling really low so one of the nurses put me in touch with Sanchia.

"She’s been helping me to set goals, just little things, like leaving the house to meet a friend, or doing some voluntary work.

They are just small steps but I’m going in the right direction.”

Dr Biswas and team have now won a prestigious Integration Excellence award for developing exciting new initiatives, products and services.

The team, based at King's Mill Hospital, were presented the award by journalist Victoria Derbyshire at the prestigious 2018 Macmillan Excellence

Awards in Birmingham on November 8.

Dr Biswas said: “One of the biggest things for a patient is having a person outside of their family who they can talk to.

“We’re a safe space, and we can help people to understand why they’re feeling the way they’re feeling.”

Dr Jo Levene, a Clinical Psychologist said: “Cancer is a bit like a bomb dropping on someone,”

“It ricochets out to all aspects of their lives.

"Even if someone has curative treatment, they might feel quite changed by that experience and wonder how they can move forward.

"We can help.”

For support, information or if you have any questions, call Macmillan Cancer Support free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am–8pm) or visit macmillan.org.uk.