Cancer patients’ letter thanks staff during Covid
Covid-19 and lockdown is daunting enough as it is, but having concerns about whether your prostate cancer care continues adds another level of worry.
That was exactly the situation that Malcolm Clark, from South Woodham Ferrers, found himself in, however he quickly discovered that his crucial treatment would continue throughout the pandemic at Southend Hospital.
The 66 year old received urgent radiotherapy treatment for just over seven weeks and felt he got such a fantastic service from the dedicated staff that he wrote and thanked them.
Malcolm said: "The cancer care I had at Southend was fantastic, you want those people in your corner, they made me feel like I was the only patient under their care. I think it is fair to say I was in a dark place before my treatment started, but Southend have been amazing. I knew I was in safe hands."
On why he decided to write a letter, Malcolm added: "I'm a great believer in telling people if something is really good, they deserve to know about it. A kind word goes a long way. The Radiotherapy team who looked after me have been phenomenal, an amazing group of young men and women who I just can't speak highly enough of.
"From the first minute I walked in I was reassured, I'd never been in this situation before and I wasn't handling the cancer process very well. I was scared and angry, but their constant reassurance made me comfortable, and when I felt exposed they maintained my dignity."
Malcolm has now completed his radiotherapy treatment, and although he isn't enjoying some of the side effects, he says that in the grand scheme of things he is doing well.
In his heartfelt letter, Malcolm wrote:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and the amazing group of people in the radiotherapy department at Southend Hospital. You are all dedicated in helping others just like me. As you can imagine having and being treated for any form of cancer is scary for anyone.
However, the kindness and gentility shown to me by Adrian, Radiya, Hodmar, Jake, Anna, Caitlin, and many others too numerous to mention, who have all guided and supported me through this procedure. These dedicated young people are a credit to the radiotherapy department and more over to Southend Hospital.