National kudos for haem team
Northwick Park has been given national accreditation for a service treating patients with a type of incurable blood cancer.
Myeloma UK recognised the work of the hospital's haematology team and presenting it with the Myeloma UK Clinical Service Excellence Programme (CSEP) Award at a special presentation. Staff were praised for their efforts to improve patients' quality of life and willingness to adapt and listen to their needs.
The hospital manages more than 300 patients with the condition. One of them is Douglas Spreckley who likes to look on the bright side of life. The 85-year-old has defied the odds by living with Myeloma for more than 18 years.
It started with two broken ribs and prolonged back pain and, given the disease's comparative rareness, could easily have been misdiagnosed for a commoner ailment.
Douglas said: “I was lucky enough to have a GP who had a special interest in haematology (blood) who referred me for further hospital tests. I don't suppose many people are relieved to find they have cancer, but I saw it as a step forward. I knew, after years of frustration and pain, what I dealing with.”
Myeloma occurs in stages where the majority of patients go into remission after treatment only for the cancer to reoccur in ever shortening cycles. “I'm on a good run and know all about cycles,” laughs the pensioner who ran a successful launderette business for many years and was guest of honour at the presentation.
Douglas was so keen to get to grips with his treatment that when an abscess in one of his teeth threatened to delay stem replacement therapy he got the dentist to pull it out. “I call it my Myeloma medal,” says the gap-toothed pensioner with a laugh.
Douglas took the opportunity to read attendees a poem shaped by his experience of living with cancer and, true to form, it reflected his upbeat take on life including a poignant tribute to his late wife.
It was called :Hey Myeloma! Listen up! Douglas is talking to you. “I have a lot of be thankful for and set up the first support group in the area although we only got a handful of attendees at the first meeting! I'm glad to say it has grown since then and we have guest speakers a well as providing a place where Myeloma patients can chat with one another about their experiences.
Rhys Owens, Clinical Practice Services Senior Projects Officer at Myeloma UK, added: “Myeloma is a challenging cancer which keeps coming back and can be really difficult to cope with both physically and mentally, so we were hugely impressed with the hospital's efforts to ease patients' burden and make their treatment that little bit easier. “To see the team going the extra mile day after day to give those affected by myeloma a fighting chance to live well for as long as possible is truly inspiring.”