"Gaining independence in my home again"

I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer which spread to my bones in January 2024. I had tumours on my spine that has affected waking and lifting my legs, because of the weakness in my bones I suffered with a fractured pelvis and then just a few months later I fractured my hip, which will not heal fully and cannot be operated on due to not having enough viable bone left in my pelvis. I am unable to walk without an adapted walker that puts all the pressure on my arms when walking.

This was something Emma and her team arranged for me after the first one delivered was too tall, Emma came out and measured me and got one suitable for me. This was the first thing arranged to help me get around better as I was using a manual one from the hospital.

Emma has been amazing, she has been out to see me multiple times and every time she comes out she is friendly and helpful and so lovely. A couple of weeks ago she helped me and I was able to get into my car as a passenger again and she has now showed me how and what to do to be able to use shower seat. These things sound very simple, but without her and her help and guidance and encouragement, I wouldn’t be able to go out in my car and I wouldn’t be able to have a shower.

Having a shower means so much to me, the last time I had a shower was January 2024 at my sister-in-law’s house after I’d come home from being in hospital for a long time. Now because of Emma, I can shower in my own home again, I have been having to have washes at the sink which I never feel clean enough.

Having a shower sounds very simple but with the troubles I have with my legs and hips it would be impossible without the help that’s been given to me. I was so happy after Emma helped me get in and out of the shower chair and show me how to use it. She is a credit to your team. She is compassionate and empathetic and made me feel like I was important.

I had my shower chair delivered recently and thought that was it, read the instructions and go from there, but Emma called me once she realised it had been delivered and offered to come out to show me how to use it and make me feel comfortable with it. I never had to call and ask, this is so important as disabled people often feel like they are a burden.

I can’t praise how wonderful Emma is, thank you so much for everything that has been done to ensure I can get around my own home. In addition to the shower seat and getting into the car I have been given a hospital bed and chairs in the kitchen and the bathroom to help me sit down when I need it. Without this help I would be severely struggling.

Thank you to Emma and the whole team, including the lovely people dropping off the equipment - you have no idea how much of a difference you have made, you have given me back some of the independence that cancer has cruelly taken away .