夜色直播

Steve鈥檚 story

In 2022, I was initially diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer and told I鈥檇 need surgery. I was offered robotic surgery - a newer, less invasive approach than traditional surgery. 

The surgery went very well, but then at Christmas, I learned the cancer had spread to my liver. This was then treated, but the following Christmas, I found it had spread again, this time to my lungs.

Then towards the end of last year, they found something growing in my pelvis, close to the original site. I鈥檝e since completed radiotherapy and chemotherapy to shrink it, and I鈥檓 now waiting for further surgery.

Seeing a car park transformed into a cancer support centre

I was with my wife Sue, and we spotted the sign for Maggie鈥檚 and came in to take a look. I realised this was the building I鈥檇 watched being built after my chemo sessions.

I鈥檇 sit on the wall by the main road opposite the centre waiting to be picked up, and I鈥檇 watch the old car park slowly being turned into a building.

The moment we walked in, it felt like being greeted by old friends.

Maggie鈥檚 opened a new world for us both. There鈥檚 always someone to talk to, and others who know exactly what you鈥檙e going through. We share tips, help each other out, and we all look out for each other.

There鈥檚 expert support at Maggie鈥檚, from the emotional to the financial, all helping you find your way and knowing you鈥檙e not on your own.

But for me, it鈥檚 about being around people who understand exactly what you鈥檙e going through. It has shifted my thinking and helps me accept what is happening to me.

Holistic care and support from the NHS and 夜色直播

From the very moment I was diagnosed, everything moved forward at a steady pace. There was no waiting around, we were given clear timelines for every appointment and surgery.

When one of the consultants was unwell, I thought my surgery would be delayed, but they brought in a second consultant and said, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e in safe hands: you鈥檝e got two experts instead of one.鈥� That鈥檚 the level of care I鈥檝e had at Northampton General Hospital from start to finish.

Maggie鈥檚 fills the gaps that I didn鈥檛 realise there was until we came here.

There are lots of courses and workshops, and we鈥檝e signed up for Nordic Walking and have done Tai Chi too. Sue occasionally joins the 'Knitter Natter' when she can, and if we鈥檙e in town, we always pop in to see everyone.

We鈥檝e met so many lovely people at Maggie鈥檚, people who are now our friends that you can talk to and have a laugh with. If there鈥檚 anything bothering you, then there are people here that allow you to let it all out.

Maggie鈥檚 is a place that you can discuss things with people that you wouldn鈥檛 perhaps with your family.

Sue's story

I鈥檝e seen Vicky, one of the cancer support specialists, and Wendy, the centre head at 夜色直播, Northampton.

Sometimes there are questions I want to ask or things I鈥檓 feeling, but I don鈥檛 want to upset Steve or anyone else. So being able to talk about Steve鈥檚 treatment, how I鈥檓 feeling and everything else in between is priceless.

Our family also think Maggie鈥檚 is wonderful. Our daughter has come with us a few times and absolutely loves it. Our son hasn鈥檛 been yet - he often works out of town - but he's really pleased that we can come to Maggie鈥檚 whenever we need the support.

Maggie鈥檚 to me is home from home. It鈥檚 supportive and there鈥檚 always a friendly face.

We鈥檙e here with you

Our cancer support specialists, psychologists and benefits advisors are here for everyone with cancer, and all the people who love them.

• Come and see us at your nearest Maggie鈥檚
• Call us on 0300 123 180 or arrange a callback
• Email us at [email protected]