14 Aug 2024 Community

A Journey of Compassion and Care: Sheila’s Story with The Kirkwood

The Kirkwood cares for people with life limiting illnesses both on our In-Patient Unit in Dalton and out in the Kirklees community where our nurses work tirelessly each day to bring comfort to people's lives in their most distressing moments.  

Sheila Currie's journey with breast cancer has been one of resilience, courage, and profound care. Five years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and despite undergoing chemotherapy at Leeds St James's Hospital, her fight took a challenging turn in May 2023 when the cancer returned.

"I was under the care of Leeds St James's hospital for about five years where I was having chemotherapy," Sheila recalls. 

"However, in the end, it wasn't working, so I said that I would be quite happy to have palliative care." 

This pivotal decision marked the beginning of her relationship with The Kirkwood, a relationship that would provide her with the compassionate support she needed.

She said: “That was when The Kirkwood was introduced to me. Kelly, the community nurse, rang me up and said that she would be my nurse and that she would come and see me and just get to know me and assess me. At that stage, I was quite good, really." 

Sheila remembers those early days with Kelly when she still had the energy to be active. "I still had quite a lot of energy at that point and was doing quite a bit. So Kelly has kept in touch since then and if I've needed anything, I've called her."

Unfortunately, as time passed, Sheila’s condition began to worsen. With an alarming episode happening at the start of August, she commented: "Over the last few months, I started to decline. My health has declined quite a bit in a very short time.

"At the beginning of August, I had a bad turn and they thought initially I had had a stroke. It was arranged quite quickly that I would be brought into The Kirkwood to receive some support and care."

Sheila’s battle with cancer has been arduous. After her initial diagnosis, a tumour was removed from her left breast, but the cancer’s return in May brought new challenges. She explained: "I developed a lump in my neck. I went to the doctor and then onto Pinderfields Hospital where I was told the breast cancer had returned, but it was in the lymph nodes and had gone into my neck. I went through six months of taking some tablets, however, then the tumour started growing around my neck, so it was obviously not working."

Throughout this difficult journey, Kelly has been a constant source of support for Sheila which she has really appreciated. This relationship has become a cornerstone of Sheila’s care, providing her with much-needed reassurance: "Kelly comes to see me at home. We discuss how I've been and what I need, what my needs are, what medication I might need to help me.” Said Sheila.

She continued: "Knowing Kelly is there means everything. It really means everything to me. This is frightening what is happening to me. I mean I know I've got cancer, and I know it's not going to end well. However, talking to Kelly gives me confidence. Sometimes when I'm feeling a bit low and she would say, no, I think you're doing well. It gives me a little bit of a boost."

Sheila's experience with The Kirkwood has opened her eyes to the incredible care hospices can provide. She said: "I didn't know much about The Kirkwood, but my mum was in a hospice in Chester and they looked after my mum, so I know hospices provide care in a special way.

"They've looked after me superbly here. It really has been a five-star experience. They care for you in every way, and nothing is too much trouble."

Sheila's story is a testament to the invaluable support and care provided by The Kirkwood. In the face of her illness, Sheila has found comfort, dignity, and compassion through the unwavering dedication of her community nurse, Kelly, and the entire team involved with The Kirkwood.