16 Feb 2023 Community

​I thought The Kirkwood was just there for end of life care, but it isn’t

The Kirkwood are here to help anyone living with any form of life limiting illness. Whilst most people are aware that we care for people living with cancer, many don’t realise we support patients and families affected by conditions such as heart failure, neurological and chronic lung conditions, and dementia. No matter their long term illness, we are here to support people across the whole of Kirklees – every step of the way. 

Geraldine McCallum, who lives in Golcar, was first put in touch with The Kirkwood by her GP. They reached out to find out how we could help Geraldine after she was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis, a condition in which lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred. making it more difficult for your lungs to work properly. 

Despite her diagnosis, Geraldine has decided to face her condition head on: "It's a terminal illness, I'm on medication at the moment and it's just about living with the condition." she said. "My body is tearing itself apart basically. When you are first diagnosed you only have three to five years to live. 

"I was diagnosed in November in 2020, and I started going downhill then. Since then I have had to go for regular tests and been in hospital twice with bad chest infections. I am now on 24-hour oxygen and have been on that for the past two years. 

Geraldine McCallum

 

"I had just retired from work when I was diagnosed. When you retire I had all these plans to travel the world and then it got taken away from me because of this illness – it's very hard to take. I'm still coming to terms with it now really. A lot of people don't understand the condition I have sadly, not much is known about it, there is no cure at the moment." 

After Geraldine’s GP reached out to The Kirkwood, she received support from our Support & Therapy team and has been given help to better understand how to cope with the symptoms of her condition. She has also taken part in The Kirkwood Chorus, a light-hearted singing group that brings people from across our community together most Fridays, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

"My doctor got in touch with The Kirkwood to see what support they could offer me. I now get regular phone calls and emails from the team at The Kirkwood, which is great. I have been to a couple of their wellbeing sessions about breathlessness and exercising as well.

“Before Christmas last year, I joined The Kirkwood Chorus but, unfortunately, I haven't been able to go back since I was in hospital. I find it more difficult to breathe in the bad weather. It makes me cough more. I will definitely be going back if I can, I really enjoyed the atmosphere.

Like many other local people, Geraldine wasn’t aware of all the ways The Kirkwood can help people affected by a life limiting illness or that we are able to help people from the moment they are diagnosed.

"I originally thought The Kirkwood was just there for end of life care, but it isn't. The amount of services they offer really surprised me, as well as the fact they have a 24-hour helpline, which is so good too!

“I'm lucky that I have a good supportive network of people around me, but some people don't have that and that is why The Kirkwood is so important. I feel comfortable when talking to The Kirkwood staff, they always pick up the phone and are there when you need them."

Since being diagnosed, Geraldine has gone on to set her own support network up in the Moldgreen area. 

She said: "Myself and my friend Debbie have created our own Pulmonary Fibrosis group. There are only six of us at the moment, but we meet up and discuss various things. It's nice to be able to talk to someone who understands what you are coping with. We meet once a month in Moldgreen and we all really enjoy each other company."