Wendy's Cancer Journey / Post

Wendy was diagnosed with Terminal Stage 4 Bowel Cancer in June 2017.

Soon after the diagnosis Wendy began Chemo - Radiotherapy at the Rosemere in Preston Royal Infirmary, Lancaster. During this time she lost most of her hair, her appetite and her energy. She frequently could not eat and even mention or smell of food made her feel sick - all of which made managing her treatment more difficult. Throughout this process our little Norfolk Terrier puppy Rusty brough us both much relief and comfort.

It was then decided that Wendy may benefit from Chemotherapy treatment and so Wendy underwent two courses of 3 months each Chemotherapy at Lancaster Royal Infirmary. This treatment also made Wendy more exhausted physically and she was frequently emotionally overwhelmed. Nevertheless being Wendy, whenever health allowed she was out chatting with neighbours and friends.

Both a liver resection operation and a bowel operation were planned but following a CT scan that revealed the cancer had spread faster than anticipated, the liver operation was given priority. The liver resection which removed half of Wendy's liver took place at Blackburn hospital and following an infection Wendy remained there for 14 days. She then returned to her lovely home in Kendal to continue to recouperate before the bowel operation which was planned to remove the primary tumour from the bowel and install an irreversible stoma bag. Wendy found the stoma bag to be very helpful and a great relief.

At this stage we believed that Wendy had moved onto a curative care path and with ongoing treatment many years lay ahead of us.

However following a CT scan it was found that the cancer had returned and spread vigorously. The cancer had spread throughout the peritineum with various localised mets near the stomach area, as well as into the lungs and liver.

We returned at this point to a palliative care path to manage Wendy's symptoms with least discomfort and pain.

Soon after these developments, Wendy became very ill and her stoma bag stopped working for two days. We rushed her to Lancaster hospital who over a period of weeks were able to stabilise her condition by managing and adjusting her medecines and pain relief treatments. At this point Wendy became very yellow in her skin and the whites of her eyes - this jaundice is a consequence of the liver failing and impact on overall physiology.

 

Wendy then returned home under the care of the palliative care nurses, the district nurses and the local GP.

Wendy continued her palliative care at home surrounded with her loving family and friends. We were  told by the specialists to expect short months or long weeks only for her to live and so we all did everything we could to make this time as lovely as possible for her.
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Wendy died on the 4th October 2019 peacefully at home in her bed xx