Bernard and his wife of three decades, Rhian, are accessing support from our Community Hub team following Rhian’s diagnosis with cervical cancer in 2021, and secondary liver cancer the following year.
Bernard, from New Mills, explained: ‘We were both incredibly anxious after Rhian’s diagnosis and treatment. I have a history of anxiety and depression, and it’s been a fairly tough few years. We moved in with my Mum just before the Covid lockdown as she was becoming increasingly frail, and at the same time we were having building work done on our house due to subsidence problems.
‘Sadly, Mum died in 2020 and it was a really difficult period. Mum had a massive stroke and my siblings could not visit the hospital due to ongoing Covid restrictions. It has been four or five years of emotional mayhem, culminating and continuing with Rhian’s cancer.
‘The Christie Hospital referred us to the hospice. We were aware of it beforehand through the high street shops, and seeing that an old friend, Mal, was doing some fundraising for the charity.’
Louise Furmston, community engagement lead nurse, met the couple and offered advice and support initially, before referring both Bernard and Rhian to counselling and complementary therapy services.
Bernard said: ‘We have both had reflexology which has been extremely beneficial. Allowing us to relax, ease stress and tension.
‘I’ve also had counselling sessions with Kate, which have given me a better focus on what’s going on and helped me to process everything. I knew the ins and outs of what was happening, but the sessions have allowed me to get my thoughts and worries under control.’
Bernard explained that although he had accessed counselling in the past at other places, it had been ineffectual and made him feel that how he felt was his own fault: ‘Here at the hospice, I was given the ability to say what I wanted. It was good seeing Kate as she listened to what I had to say, and between us we came up with a series of processes for getting myself through.
‘The counselling sessions have really helped me to think through how to deal with my anxiety. I still refer to the processes and practices that Kate gently guided me through, and I have been working on them continuously ever since.’
Rhian continues to see Louise Furmston on an ad-hoc basis and has also attended the building resilience and wellbeing course.
Find out more about our Community Hub, and counselling and bereavement services.
