Just wondered if there are any people out there from Gloucestershire.
I live in Berkshire but want to move to Gloucester. What is the treatment like? Do you get Herceptin automatically? Where do you have rads? What are Cheltenham/Gloucester Hospitals like for treatment? What about reconstruction - is it readily offered?
So many questions. But feeling trapped and would like to know that I could continue treatment later and what it is like.
Thank you so much.
hi,
I live in Churchdown which is in Gloucester.
All the chemo and rads is given in Cheltenham which is a Centre of Excellence. Not sure about Herceptin as I didn’t have it…nor reconstruction. I have a friend who had reconstruction and hers was done in Bristol.
Hope that helps. Anymore questions…don’t hesitate.
Sheana x
Hi Sheana
How great to hear from you and hope everything is going well for you.
I was just in churchdown the other week having my teeth done at that excellent dentist there.
Starfish x
Hi,
I live in Gloucester, had my surgery at Gloucester Royal…Surgeon …Mr. Sammon, wonderful man but unfortunately retiring soon, BCN team are wonderful, especially Jane Fide [my BCN].
My oncologist is Kim Benstead…I had my chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Cheltenham…which is a Centre of Excellence.
Yes Herceptin is given automatically as far as I’m aware, I know a lady who had mastectomy and reconstruction at Cheltenham under Charlie Chann…aptly a very good surgeon, but another lady I know is having her reconstruction in Bristol.
Personally from my point of view the treatment, support etc I have recieved has been second to none.
If anyones interested there is another ''Life After Breast Cancer ‘’ conference at The Chase Hotel, Gloucestershire on Friday 17th October.
karen x
ps I live in Tuffley, Gloucester
Hi Karen,
You put things much better in your post than I did in mine!!
My surgery was also done at GRH but I had Mrs Fowler who was great too. I agree that Jane Fide is lovely, very helpful and always explains things.
We have the same oncologist but I have only seen her once when I first saw her to discuss the chemo I would have…since then I have only seen the breast care nurses.
You don’t live far away from me in Tuffley as I am in Churchdown.
I agree that the treatment has been really good from dx until now which is almost 2 1/2 years. Long may it continue.
Sheana x
Hi Sheana,
I was dx in Jan.04.
I have heard that Claire Fowler is great too.
I actually didn’t like Jane the first time I met her…maybe because she was telling me something I didn’t want to hear!!..since then how-ever she has become my rock.
Very direct, tells it how it is, will give you sympathy but also a kickup the bum if she thinks you need it.
I didn’t see Kim Benstead when my chemo’ was first discussed I saw Charlie Candish [Kim Benstead was on a sabbatical]…quite young, very direct, I also saw him when I had my first chemo in Cheltenham…he didn’t think I’d turn up I was so negative about chemo.
Think I saw Kim Benstead once during chemo, once at rad’s planning then once in clinic at Gloucester.
When’s your next check up?
Karen x
Hi Karen,
You reminded me…I saw Kim Benstead at my rads planning too…not since though. I think that’s a good sign!
In Feb 06 I had a mastectomy and node clearance…3/12 involved…6xFEC and 13 rads. Went on Tamoxifen for about 6 months… decided I was post menopausal after a blood test and was put on Arimidex…there’s my brief history! Not too keen on Arimidex but it’s a good drug so I will stick with it.
Next check up will be at GRH in October with Jane. I don’t mind that check up but the one I have every Feb is when I have my annual mammogram and I get in a right state about that. Last time I was convinced that something would show up…I had no evidence of anything but in my head I went to pieces.
Sheana x
Hi All
The treatment and care all sounds wonderful. You all sound so positive about everyone and it has definitely made my mind up for me that hopefully when I have completed chemo & rads and moved onto Herceptin I will move. Only one life as we all know and now determined to make the most of everyday I have.
Love to you all
Starfish x
Hi Starfish,
I can definetly recommend Gloucestershire for treatment/care/support.
We;ll look forward to welcoming you to our County.
Karen x
Hi Karen
Many thanks for that.
By the way do you have support groups locally. We do have them here in Berkshire and they are I must say wonderful. The treatment at hosp it good but you feel very processed and no one seems to have the time to really talk things through.
Starfish x
Hi Starfish,
Yes there are local support groups in Gloucester and Cheltenham, the one in Gloucester is held once a month…think its on the first or second Tuesday of the month, it’s run by two of the BCN’s.
Also they have started a ‘‘Back on Track’’ workshop which runs once a week for six weeks…aptly., this has proved very successful and ladies have gained alot from it.
Also…I believe this is still available…you are able to recieve acupuncture/councelling/ by therapists who are recommend by BCN’s …[they are very good I’ve had the acupuncture to help with anxiety/menopausal symptoms] at a subsidised cost for about 6 sessions…the support group subsidise the costs from their fund.
I have, with the help of my family and friends, done fundraising for the support group over the past 3 years…its amazing how people are more willing to donate when its for a local cause.
The BCN’s here always…[well in my experience anyway]…take the time to talk to you and always return your calls asap.
When are you thinking of moving?
karen x
Hi Karen
Many thanks for all that. Well I am hopeing sometime next year. It is dependent on treatment. My GP in this area has been very unhelpful and has more or less said I have to stick with it otherwise it will put my treatment back weeks.
But I am determined to move come what may.
I love it in Glos but had to move back owing to death of parents.
Starfish x
Hi there ,
I 2 had my treatment at glos and chelt , didnt know mr sammon was retiring tho , hes a very good surgeon . my breast care nurse is liz at glos who is fantastic , any probs i ring her an give her earache lol . any 1 know how long afta chemo do u have ur follow up app with consultant , finished all treatment march and still waiting .
Hi there - am also in glos (forest of Dean ) cant sing praises of GRH enough esp Mr Sammon (cant believe he’s retiring) and all the BCN I agree Liz and rest team great - always ringing to check up on you.
Had Mast at GRH - now at Chelt for chemo (Dr Benstead) she great only had 1 session so far next one next friday. My only gripe was the waiting at chelt. I arrived at 10.30 didnt get treatment till 7pm so didnt get home till 9.30 IM hoping its an exception not the norm.
Everyone helpful and friendly though can tfault that.
Leesha
Hi there
Live in Cheltenham and was under Mr Bristol, along with Mr Chan they are two of the best surgeons in the country. Also had chemo and rads at Cheltenham. Could not believe the amount of support I had and this has made Cheltenham one of the top cancer care centres in the country.
Best of luck
Alison
Hi Leesha,
I had all my chemo and rads at Cheltenham and I think you had a rotten first experience. When I went for my treatements I used to arrive about 9am and I think the earliest I got away was 1pm and then after that it was usually about 3/4pm so it’s always a long day. The rads are much different…in and out really quickly.
I agree that everyone is really friendly and the time passes fairly quickly…you can always ask for a pager and after you have your bloods done, nip out and they will call you back for your chemo.
I’ve also talked to Liz often on the phone…she is lovely along with Fiona, Jane and the rest of the team. My surgeon was Clare Fowler…she was really understanding too when she gave me the dreaded news back in Feb 06.
I’m a little way further on than you so if you ever want to chat about anything don’t hesitate,
Sheana x
Thanks Sheana - now had 2nd FEC - and again didnt get treatment till 8pm got home at 10pm having been there from 10.30 am!!! But did go into town to CAfe Rouge for a lovely long lunch and got chatting with a very nice sexy french waiter!! Am hoping to do next one on the mobile chemo bus in Ross - 2nd fec been harder - in that i was very tired (no sickness which is a blessing) but my arm has been very painful - so called helpline went into chelt on thursday to have it checked (bearing in mind the roadworks!!! wwent via severn bridge and had to get home via M50 long way round nut preferable to waiting in traffice queues) No infection just seems vein irritated bynthe drugs and slightly inflammed - so paracetomal!!! still painful - hoping it goes and that doesnt keep occuring with each treatment!!
So with lack of sleep this week - was a miserable horrible howling banshee by Wed night - OH didnt know what hit him!! anyway have managed to sleep - so feel much better now. Am admitting Im not invincible after all.!!! Just remind myself there is life after this…its only a small percentage of the rest of my life.
Leesha