Hi, my name is Fred:

I am a patient at the Head and Neck Cancer Unit in Hartshill. I recently had chemotherapy, radiotherapy and an operation for cancer. After treatment I was asked by a specialist nurse if I would like to join a club specifically for head and neck patients. The club has social evenings once a month and talks are given by medical and other professional experts in this field.

There is always a warm and friendly atmosphere. We have raffles and social days out. It’s been a great help for me to meet other patients and make good friends. So if you would like to come along we look forward to seeing you.

My name is Sarah Beech:

On 28th February 2014 I had a radical neck dissection to remove cancerous lymph nodes. Since 2010 I had had a few operations on my tongue to remove small cancers but this was quite different! Following the operation I was treated with chemo-radiation and finished my treatment mid June of that year.

For anyone who has undergone head and neck surgery plus treatment you know it is a hard battle coping with the surgery plus the treatment. When it is all finished you breathe a sigh of relief even though the side effects can continue for a long time. It was only when the treatment was over that I looked back over the last six months and was overwhelmed with the severity of it all. All the emotions I had kept hidden during this time started to emerge and I found I had so many questions I wanted to ask about my rehabilitation. For months I had had the weekly support of professionals from the oncologists to the specialist nurses, now though that treatment had ended I felt on my own, even though I know I could pick up the phone to the Head and Neck CNS’s at any time there were some questions I knew they wouldn’t be able to answer, only others who had gone through similar would understand.

It was then I decided to go Head Cases, the Head and Necks support group which my CNS Wendy had told me about prior to treatment. I was very nervous about attending the meeting, not knowing what to expect or how the other members would welcome a newbie! I asked my father if he would accompany me to the meeting for some moral support. Following the first meeting I was still a bit apprehensive about the group and if it ‘was for me’. But I decided to go the following month and see. It was at the second meeting when I wasn’t as nervous that I started to engage more with the group and I have been going every month since then.

I realised even though a common issue brought us together, the group didn’t just focus on cancer or treatment issues. We would talk about holidays, families, our jobs and hobbies. Yes we would sometimes touch on our experiences, our rehabilitation, our hopes and fears plus for me it was refreshing to know that others had similar feelings to my own when dealing with coping with head and neck cancers. I now look forward to meeting up with the group every month for a few hours. Yes it is a support group but it is a lot more than that because we realise life goes on, for some of us it is a different way of life than before our diagnosis but we learn from others and we support each other to carry on with our life.

My father also continues to attend the group. It was initially to support me but I think as time has gone by he also gets support from the group and the other partners and carers who attend.

I can’t emphasise enough the benefits of joining Head Cases and I recently met a guy who had finished his treatment and he talked about his feelings, I told him about the group, he said support groups weren’t for him. I said I didn’t think they were for me, but I am so glad I didn’t miss the opportunity to go to that initial meeting

Jacqueline Miller – a Cancer Nurse Specialist adds:

I see first hand the value of support groups. It’s also a great opportunity as a health professional to continue to build relationships with patients. Once cancer has been diagnosed it’s a time when emotions are varying and unpredictable. It is easy for patients to feel isolated, so a support group is an ideal place to spend time with people who share and understand your experience.

Many find it an ideal place to talk about concerns and are even able to laugh at similar experiences. We can also offer training to members in developing listening skills to be able to assist in offering peer support to those with new cancer diagnosis. The benefits are various and endless, and we welcome all who would like to join us.

 Sophie Harries – Clinical Specialist Dietician

The ‘Head Cases’ support group is a relaxed and friendly group which provides a greater opportunity to meet other people locally who have experience of the issues you may be facing. As health professionals we are able to advise and support you through the treatment and afterwards… But sometimes there is no substitute for talking to other people who share and understand what you are going through.

 Wendy Robson – a Cancer Nurse Specialist:

As a nurse, having a local support group is an essential part of a patient’s / carer’s journey through treatment and beyond, enabling confidence and independence. This is achieved by offering practical and emotional support and on-going advice and education.

Being involved with such a group helps to continually improve the care and support of those affected by cancer, by regularly obtaining feedback and just talking!

As a health professional the support group is ideally placed to provide strategies for preventing cancer, improving the quality of life in cancer survivors and quality of care for cancer patients.

 Aisling Killen – Speech Therapist:

I work with Head and Neck patients before, during and after treatment. Any change to your lips, teeth, tongue or soft palate is likely to make your speech sound different.  Speech therapy can help you learn to communicate in the clearest and most effective way.

Therapy usually begins as soon as possible after surgery and normally continues after you go home. It’s likely to involve exercises to improve the range and strength of mouth and tongue movements, or to find new ways to produce speech sounds. If you wear dentures, they may need to be changed.