I always considered (quite wrongly) that The Christie was a place where you go to die. How wrong I was! It's most definitely a place you go to live - Joan Campion

Joan Campion - Christie patient

Joan Campion

It's difficult to put into words exactly how you feel when someone tells you that you have cancer and I won't even begin to try to explain it - it's awful. Suffice to say that it resonates throughout your whole family and friends.

After my diagnosis with melanoma, things began to happen quite quickly. I was referred to The Christie and there began a journey which I shall always remember.

During my 71 years, I have been an inpatient in at least four or five different hospitals, but have never met staff with so much empathy before. From the consultant right through to Debbie, the dressings nurse, they were all considerate, supportive and warm-hearted. Importantly too, they answered my many questions intelligently and honestly.

I had my operation early in December 2014 and then had a traumatic wait for the results of the biopsy. I hoped to get the results before Christmas and thanks to the kindness of one of the nurses, I got a call from the specialist nurse practitioner just before Christmas with my results. The cancer hadn't spread and that was the most wonderful Christmas present I've ever had!

My joy was short lived however, because only days later my partner was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, which unfortunately won't have the same positive outcome that I've had. But he's very philosophical and dealing with it with courage and positivity. I've been with him throughout his treatment and he has experienced the same warm support from all The Christie staff as I did.

It really does keep your spirits up when you're greeted with a smile and a cheerful disposition, when you can sit down with qualified staff and ask really difficult questions, sure in the knowledge that you will always receive truthful responses.

Before these experiences, I always considered (quite wrongly) that The Christie was a place where you go to die. How wrong I was! It's most definitely a place you go to live. I, and I imagine many other patients, can't sing its praises too highly. It's a remarkable hospital with remarkable staff!