‘I feel like I have things to look forward to again’

A family man who was suffering both physically and mentally before his stay at St Catherine’s, says he can’t believe the difference the hospice has made to his overall wellbeing.

Barry Dunn spent six days on our inpatient unit for pain and symptom management in November, and is now feeling much stronger and more optimist about his future.

Barry, a chartered surveyor from Heapey, Chorley, has been living with prostate cancer for 12 years, but had never considered that a hospice could help to improve his quality of life.

He started attending outpatient clinics at St Catherine’s earlier this year to discuss the side effects of some of the treatments he’d undergone.

He said: “Dr Andrew Campbell was absolutely first class. I attended the appointments every three weeks and he listened to my problems and concerns, and sorted out my medication. It was a big improvement, but I still had good days and bad days so he suggested that I come to the inpatient unit, which I didn’t really know much about up until that point.

“I wasn’t in a good state physically or mentally when I came in. I was feeling depressed and the side effects of some pain killers I was taking were making me really uncomfortable and just very, very low.

“After being in the hospice for a few days, I actually felt fantastic, which I was really surprised about! I’ve got more energy and I’m not in pain anymore, and I feel like I have things to look forward to again.

“My wife Susie can take it from here and I can go back home and spend time with my family. I really appreciate that quality time we have together even more now.”

Grandad-of-two Barry, 66, added: “I’m so pleased I came to St Catherine’s. I’m very grateful to the whole team – it really is an unbelievable place and everyone is so attentive, friendly and pleasant. My family thinks it’s fantastic too.”

Barry is now being visited by one of our community nurses, who will continue to provide specialist treatment and support at his home.

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