As I walk into the hospital as an art room volunteer I feel the optimistic happy atmosphere - Lin Sinclair

Lin Sinclair, Christie art room volunteer

Lin Sinclair

A few years ago my mother came to The Christie to be treated for cancer for about six weeks. She had intensive radiotherapy virtually every day which made her very red and sore.

She told me the nurses used to put cream on her to ease the pain and rawness, and how gentle they were with her. The doctors were also marvellous with her and very sympathetic.

Mum had always said she was a coward, but she was the opposite, she was very courageous, she accepted what she had to go through, and got on with it. She was amazing.

I visited mum every day at The Christie, on my way home from work, which was 40 miles away. It was a really stressful time, but I knew she was in the safest place she could possibly be. I had total faith in The Christie.

As soon as I walked through the hospital entrance I felt calm and peaceful. This feeling has never changed, and carried on when I became a volunteer a few years later.

I think this feeling started from the initial consultation with the doctor. She said to mum “I think we can help you, and get rid of the cancer,” and I believed her.

Eventually mum's skin completely healed and the doctor told her she was cured. They actually used that word, the cancer had gone and they didn’t think it would come back. I couldn’t believe it. But they were right, it didn’t come back.

Before I retired, I had The Christie in the back of my mind, as a place I’d like to work as a volunteer.

I began by doing surveys about the patient experience at The Christie. This could be on the wards themselves or in different parts of the hospital.

I found it fascinating because patients wanted to talk. One teenage boy said to me that the nurses on his ward were more of a family to him than his own family. Even now, I cannot think about that without being extremely moved.

It’s like that through the whole hospital, everyone says the same thing. They all praise the amazing, dedicated, kind staff.

Eventually, I was told there was a vacancy in the art room for a volunteer. It appealed to me because my background is in art and design.

All Christie patients are able to go to the art room, regardless of whether they have any experience in painting or art. They are welcomed with open arms. You don’t need an appointment, you just turn up.

I did not know what to expect, but was stunned when I walked through the door at the high standard of the work.

The patients have an inspirational teacher, Pat, who is rated very highly by everyone in the art room. Her humour and encouragement soon puts everyone at ease, and they start painting and experimenting from the very first session.

Many of the paintings are exhibited on the walls of the hospital and some are for sale too at regular exhibitions. The sale of paintings helps to raise money for The Christie charity which funds the art room and many of the other extra services that the NHS can’t pay for at The Christie.

The art room exists for a very good reason. It’s to take the patient’s mind off their cancer for a few hours. This sounds simplistic but this is a highly complex situation that has a massive psychological effect.

People come to the art room at different stages of their cancer. Some have just been diagnosed, others are having treatment or have had treatment.

They are dealing with the diagnosis, the treatment, plus the effect it is having on their body and their mind. For many it can be overwhelming.

But when they have a paintbrush in their hand and a blank canvas in front of them, they are concentrating on the painting and not the cancer. They are creating something. It seems to change their mental state. They have a new goal and a new focus.

In some cases they are doing something they never thought they were capable of. The whole atmosphere of the room has a calming effect on their minds.

The men and women in the room are able to talk about their cancer to other people who are going through the same thing and share their feelings. They all know how they are feeling, because they have cancer too.

I had no conception of the devastating and complex effect cancer can have on the mental state of someone, regardless of the physical effects of the treatment.

Some people say it completely shatters their confidence. One person said to me that in the very first week of being in the art room her confidence came back. It had changed her life. It’s difficult to understand that, until someone tells you face to face.

There is an intimate, family atmosphere in the art room and friendships are formed and a lot of mutual support is given. There is a lot of humour and affection.

This is not professional art therapy, as the teacher Pat is clear to point out, it’s the actual act of painting that has a therapeutic effect.

My mum was a painter, but she did not go to the art room at The Christie, which I am sure she would have enjoyed.

This is no ordinary art class, it is extraordinary. It is full of humanity, warmth and hope.

When I walk into The Christie, I am always overwhelmed with the optimistic happy atmosphere. It has changed my life too.

I wanted to take on a challenge where I’d knew I’d suffer because I wanted to repay The Christie for caring for my mum - Holly Bloor

Holly Bloor, Christie fundraiser

I wanted to start my blog with words contributed by some of the people I know who have had family, friends and loved ones who have had, or are currently battling, cancer. Here’s what they said as dedications:

Cynthia's friend, Steven – positive, a fighter, a new husband.

Julia's twin, Andy – loved by all (Andy Stubbs died 15th July 2016).

Jane's friend, Lesley - never stopped smiling.

Mandy's sister, Michelle – youthful, inspirational, a fighter, beautiful (Michelle Adams died 31^st July 2016).

Simon's gran, Joan – brave and inspirational. She will live long in the memories of many (Joan Mitchell died 29th April, 2016).

Donna's mum and dad, Sheila and Barry – as parents caring, generous and selfless. In life, happy and lively. Proud that they were mine! (Sheila Spooner died 28th August 1995 and Barry Spooner died 18th December 2013).

Some of these battles have been won and some lost, some still continue. These words illustrate that cancer is something we all encounter.

In my case I lost my gran to cancer and now my mum is fighting it.

Mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014. When someone you love is first diagnosed with cancer it feels like someone has stamped a big full stop at the end of your happiness and it’s really hard to get past the initial feelings of despair.

My mum’s outlook towards her illness is a mixture of positivity, stubbornness and compassion. She just gets on with it; the endless hospital appointments, waiting rooms, scans, blood tests, results, fatigue and nausea. Cancer is an inconvenience! But it is never going to get in the way of her looking after her daughter and my sister, Amy.

Amy is my little sister and she has Down’s syndrome, so my mum is a carer first and has cancer second!

I find a positive attitude like my mum’s is contagious.

Shortly after being diagnosed, she began treatment at The Christie and after every appointment she came home singing the hospital’s praises. She compliments the nurses, doctors, cleaners and people who serve tea in the café, telling me how their friendly and cheerful nature helps her keep her chin up.

She enjoys the memorial garden and I can see for myself from her photographs how beautiful it is. She talks about the hand massages and reflexology on offer to patients. These are small things but they go a long way if you have cancer.

Hearing her talk about The Christie I was inspired to stop moping and get off my bum and do something. I felt totally powerless to help fight my mum’s cancer and realised that the only thing I can do is to try and raise a few pennies to help The Christie charity. I feel indebted to The Christie for helping my mum and I figured I could thank them and help them fight cancer at the same time.

I wanted to fundraise for my mum, for the people I mentioned at the start of this blog and for all those affected by cancer. So I thought about the worst thing I could put myself through and it soon sprang to mind… running. I absolutely hate it!

I sat and thought a bit… I’ll do the Potters half! Then my brain ticked a bit more. No, that’s only one race and the more I suffer the more money people will give me. So, for inspiration, I read a bit about the history of The Christie hospital. I learnt that in 1901 it was renamed The Christie in honour of Richard Christie and his wife Mary. That gave me an idea, what if I run a race for every 10 years it has been The Christie!

So I signed up for the Potters Arf’.

My first run was in late January. It was cold, wet and dark - perfect running conditions…or not. But I was inspired! I was going to become a runner! As I laced up my shiny new trainers I considered how far I should run. Ten miles, eight miles … But I decided on five. Don’t get carried away I thought to myself - it is your first run!

Twenty minutes later I fell through my front door; red faced, sweating and out of breath. My calf muscles, which I didn’t think even existed (I’d certainly never seen them anyway) were so tight that when I had finally picked myself up from the floor, I couldn’t lift my feet and had to shuffle to the settee. Once I’d regained some composure I glanced at Strava (other activity tracking apps are available) and it said I’d run 1.2Km!! I’d only run 1.2Km, not even a mile! One half marathon seemed impossible never mind six full marathons in a row!

I decided that my challenge was suitable. I’d confirmed that I was rubbish at running and so I’d suffer plenty! I would definitely deserve sponsorship! I started to sign up for races; The Potters Arf in June, Ashbourne Half in July, Newark Half in August, Great North Run in September, Manchester Half in October and Lancaster Half in November (the last day of my honeymoon I might add). Following this, I will do six full marathons.

So the day of ‘The Potters Arf’ arrived - June 12th 2016. Ahead of me lay 13.1 miles of running and 260m of hills. At 10am I was waiting to start, surrounded by proper runners uttering phrases such as ‘PB’, ‘Sub 1:45’ and ‘8 minute splits’. At this point my ‘PB’ was managing to only swallow two flies on a training run (I run with my mouth open).

I tucked myself in near the back, next to a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, a helicopter and two bumble bees. Then 10:30am came and we were off! Surprisingly, I soon settled into the run and began to have a whale of a time. The public support was fantastic and I was propelled along by the crowd. At several points throughout the run I heard people shout for The Christie and cheer. The feeling of pride to be running for such a fantastic and well-loved charity was really quite overwhelming. I ran across the finish line in 2:16:56, no ‘sub 1:45’ but not too embarrassing.

Next up was the Ashbourne Half on July 3rd 2016, the same 13.1 miles, but 320m of hills to climb. I was more nervous this time, surrounded by proper runners with lean muscled legs and compression socks, and not a single charity runner in sight. This was going to be a tough half marathon in the peak district, with hills, hills and more hills on a very hot day.

I soon began to suffer. The hills started in the first mile and continued for the next eight! I found myself chuntering ’blinking hills’ as I plodded along. Luckily I had fantastic support from my partner Sean, who cycled to certain points of the race and thrust water and energy gels at me as I stumbled past.

This race felt like the longest 13.1 miles ever and by the last mile I was totally exhausted. However, as I entered the last 500m I saw my little sis Amy and the rest of my family and it was all worth it. Amy even raced to the finish with me and was far sprightlier than me.

To be honest, despite training I haven’t really improved. Now I just run farther, but the end result is still the same – a red, sweaty mess. When I’m out running I often encounter other female runners. I watch them run past gracefully with their long legs in little shorts and no cellulite! When will I start look like that!

I’m now two half marathons into my challenge and so far I’m four toenails down with a fifth one looking dubious. I’ve swallowed millions of bugs and at least one moth! Half of my body is chafed but (at the point of writing) I’ve raised £853.50 of my £1,000 target, so every second of suffering is worth it and let’s face it, this is insignificant suffering compared with having cancer. Cancer really sucks.

I feel almost like we are in a war. A war against a tiny enemy that we can’t see and don’t truly understand. There are millions of fundraisers like myself and I view us as the foot soldiers. We walk, run, swim, climb, hurl ourselves out of planes and off bridges, bake cakes and shave our heads to try and to raise as much money as we can in order to provide the ammunition to fight cancer. But we are not the heroes, those with cancer are the true heroes.

Help me say thank you to The Christie for my mum and millions of others at www.justgiving.com/Holly-Bloor3

We want to develop our radiology service to be one of the best in the world - Gregory Royal

Gregory Royal – interventional radiographer

Gregory Royal

I have been a radiographer for 19 years. During that time I have worked mainly in the acute setting and since 2008 specialised in interventional radiology. This is an area of radiology where we aim to treat patients rather than purely diagnose them. 

We use specialised equipment (catheters and stents etc) along with real time x-ray. My role in this field is to provide best quality imaging, often for very sick patients undergoing the treatments.

Having worked in Manchester for most of my 19 years as a radiographer (I some time spent in London and seeing the world), I have known about The Christie for a long time. I knew it was a cancer centre with a world-wide reputation. 

I had been working as the interventional radiology lead in a nearby hospital (running the service there), but when I heard that the Christie had a vacancy for an interventional radiology team leader I jumped at the chance to apply. 

Upon visiting the department at The Christie, I discovered that a new unit was being planned and if I got the job I would get to be part of it. Fortunately I was successful in being appointed.

I started at The Christie at the end of May 2015 and found everyone very welcoming. The first impression I got was how patient focused the staff are and how enthusiastic people are to help. I’ve always had the most job satisfaction from helping patients. Rightly, that should be the main focus for all healthcare workers, but at The Christie the standards of patient care are at a much higher level.  This obviously makes me proud to work at The Christie and proud of our staff.

Within my job I spend approximately 80% of my time involved in a clinical role and this is without a doubt the most appealing part of what I do. As the team lead for radiology 2, I make sure services such as ultrasound, in-patient plain film and interventional radiology run as best they can. I have a great team to work with, which includes not just radiographers and radiologists, but also nurses, a co-ordinator, clerical staff and porters.  

The other 20% of my time is spent on management issues and duties. The biggest of these is currently being part of the sub-group developing the operational side of the new Integrated Procedures Unit (IPU) which is currently being built on the Oak Road side of our site above the main entrance. This is an exciting development for The Christie overall but also for the interventional radiology team. It means we can build on and cement the excellent oncology procedures and care we provide so as to truly take the service forward and make it world class – our patients deserve nothing less!

Moving to The Christie was the best career choice I could have made and I couldn’t be happier in my work life. I get the chance to spend time with patients and along with some fantastic colleagues to affect change and develop our radiology service to be one of the best.

Only The Christie could offer me the surgery I most wanted for my breast cancer, a mastectomy and a natural tissue reconstruction - Bernadette Featherstone

Bernadette Featherstone, Christie patient

Bernadette Featherstone

Last year was a very difficult year for me. My wonderful father had been diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in June. So life was difficult enough, but then I found changes in my breast purely by accident. I discovered a thickened area to my lower breast that seemed quite large to me – around 2 to 3 cm. I had become so caught up with what was happening to my dad that my own routine health checks were very much sidelined. 

I quickly went to see my GP, who wasn't unduly concerned but referred me directly to the breast clinic. That day was very lengthy with examination by a doctor, a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy; then we had to return later in the day for the results.  

We returned at the end of clinic and met with the doctor and breast care nurse. At this point, even before they told me, I knew what was going to be said. I was told I had breast cancer and would need to be referred to a breast surgeon. 

Whilst waiting for my appointment to come through, I busied myself researching options for surgery. After I had read about the various types of surgery and possible consequences of them, I was beginning to rule out available options that I did not feel where suitable for me. 

The day came for my appointment with the breast surgeon. Following discussions regarding the biopsy results, I was offered either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, due to the size of the lump in comparison with the breast. After the appointment I was able to discuss my options further with one of the breast care nurses.

It was very important for me to reduce the risk of returning for further surgery and the offerings of implants and various types of reconstructive surgery suggested didn't offer me the long term solution I was looking for. 

Following a discussion with the breast care nurse, I enquired about any other available options. There was one further option which would involve being referred to The Christie for a DIEP flap reconstruction. This operation uses tissues from the stomach to reconstruct the breast, and although it is a much more extensive operation, it offered me the surgery that I most wanted - a mastectomy to reduce the risk and a natural tissue reconstruction. 

I was referred to The Christie and met with Mr Kosutic and a breast reconstruction specialist nurse. The operation was explained to me in great detail with the opportunity to see pictures of the surgery, and post operative photographs. I felt without doubt that this option was the best surgical option for me. 

Meeting Mr Kosutic calmed my nerves; he was so easy to talk to, reassuring and without doubt very dedicated to his patients. I had taken the opportunity to have a look at his profile online beforehand and was very impressed by what I found. 

Following an examination, I was told that I was a suitable candidate for surgery. I can honestly say that following my clinic appointment, I had no fears at all. I was calm and very reassured that I would have the best surgeon performing my operation. 

I was admitted the day before surgery so that I could be marked up in preparation for surgery the next morning. Being a patient at The Christie was a really positive experience. There was a lovely environment on the ward, with all staff members making the week’s stay as pleasant as possible. The anaesthetic team were amazing, very reassuring and helped me to have a calm demeanour as I entered the anaesthetic room. 

My stay in hospital was a week long, during which my reconstructed breast was monitored closely to ensure the tissue transplanted was a healthy colour and receiving a good blood supply. I continued to make good progress and was able to walk out of the hospital one week later. 

It has been some months now following my surgery I am absolutely delighted with the results of my breast reconstruction. Mr Kosutic is an amazing consultant, I have been truly blessed being his patient and I will be eternally grateful to him for giving me the surgery of my choice.

NHS England support means more patients will receive supportive care earlier on - Dr Richard Berman

Dr Richard Berman, Consultant in Supportive Care at The Christie and NHS England’s National Clinical Lead for Enhanced Supportive Care 

Dr Richard Berman

Enhanced Supportive Care (ESC) is a fresh and modern approach to supporting people through cancer treatment. It was invented and pioneered here at The Christie by specialists in The Supportive Care Team and I’m delighted to be involved in its national roll out as national clinical lead for this ground-breaking programme.

At its heart is better access to expertise in managing the adverse effects of cancer and cancer treatments.

And that’s good for both patients and cancer clinicians. Because timely supportive care, provided in a positive way, improves patient experience and outcomes, as well as reducing the need for hospital admission.

A successful pilot here at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust has led to NHS England’s commitment to support the roll out of ESC across cancer centres in England. 

Now, thanks to NHS England making more than £4m of financial incentives available, I’m delighted that 21 more specialist cancer centres have signed up to start delivering ESC this year, with hopefully more to come.

As National Clinical Lead for Enhanced Supportive Care, I am overseeing this integration of ESC into cancer care, ensuring that hospitals are supported to implement the guidance we have already published 

That means changes to the way palliative care and oncology teams work together in cancer centres. 

So, over the last few weeks, I have been speaking with colleagues in oncology and palliative medicine from all around the UK.  

As a simple initiative that makes sense and improves patient care, ESC has been warmly welcomed. In fact, there seems to be a real drive now to see the development of supportive care, working alongside oncology, to help provide world-leading cancer care. 

It’s a fantastic opportunity: a new image, properly resourced supportive care teams, and improved care for patients. 

Our ambition for supportive care doesn’t stop here – we will keep pushing for excellence and change. 

This is just the first of three phases: ESC II will see the expansion of ESC across all cancer types, and following that, ESC III will see these improvements in practice and collaboration between professionals spread out beyond the walls of the cancer centre, meaning patients will increasingly be able to access enhanced support closer to home.

And of course ESC is just one way in which the NHS is rising to the challenges set in the report of the Independent Cancer Taskforce, which cited the impact it had at The Christie and recommended further support for people living with and beyond cancer.

A hearty thanks to all those who are leading the way on ESC in their own centres, and I look forward to continuing to work with clinical champions throughout the country and others to improve patient experience. 

The Big C & Me - Sarah Burton

Sarah Burton, Christie fundraiser

Sarah with husband Shane

Did you watch the recent documentary about cancer on the BBC? It was called ‘The Big C & Me’ and it followed the lives of a number of difference patient with cancer at hospitals throughout the country, including The Christie.

I watched the three programmes with great interest because my husband Shane is a patient at The Christie. 

Just like all the other people featured in The Big C and Me, we had the shock of finding out that Shane had cancer. We really didn’t know what to expect on our first visit and we really didn’t expect to see so many people being treated for cancer. 

Before you go to The Christie you have no idea what to expect. You imagine that it must be a sad and morbid place. If you watched the programme you realise that this is not the case at all. 

The people receiving their chemotherapy, shown having a gossip and supporting each other is very typical of what goes on throughout the hospital. The programme really did show how people diagnosed with cancer just want to be treated normally without people feeling sorry for them.

My husband Shane and I are so grateful for what The Christie have done that we recently set up a fundraising group for The Christie, called the FlatCaps. We’re from Yorkshire - hence the name.

Members of Flatcaps

We are working hard to inspire the members of the group and are doing everything possible to explain how The Christie is such a supportive and caring place. We have asked friends to come with us when Shane has had appointments. This is because it doesn’t matter how much you try to convey how special The Christie is, nobody can really understand or believe it until they have experienced it for themselves. 

So one of the great things about The Big C & Me is that it showed how good The Christie is and it also showed how difficult it is for the family of someone who has cancer. It showed all the emotions that people experience on the cancer rollercoaster. It showed the difficult decisions that have to be made. But most of all it showed people getting on and trying to make the most of life, which is very inspiring.

Having cancer is a bit like being part of an army where everyone is fighting something inside them. Everyone’s battle is different. Everyone is wanting everyone to keep going or win. None of them thinking or believing that they are brave. 

Thank you to the patients who were featured on The Big C & Me and to The Christie and the other hospitals for allowing this programme to be filmed. An especially big thank you to the brave families of Sally and Mark who sadly lost their lives. We need more programmes like The Big C & Me to help quash the taboo that surrounds cancer.  

You can watch the final episode of The Big C & Me and clips from the whole series on BBC iplayer at www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07f2gwd.

Being filmed helped me voice my personal opinions about cancer services - Bex Smalley

Bex Smalley, Christie patient and patient representative 

Bex Smalley

2015 was a big year for me as I celebrated 10 years in remission. This made me stop and think. I wanted to give back more than my annual fundraising events. So I started looking online for a more hands on approach. I wanted to help more. 

I started off by volunteering for Macmillan, leaving reviews on books and leaflets all based around cancer but I was looking for something much more hands on. Then I received an email about an organisation called Manchester Cancer and who were involved in something called a Vanguard. When I read more about this I found out that one of the aims of the Vanguard was to improve cancer care though early diagnosis and prevention around the Manchester area. I immediately knew it was something I wanted to get involved in. 

Since getting involved, I’ve had a busy time. I have been involved in lots of meetings and was asked to be in a video they were doing to show at a big eye opening event. 

The Greater Manchester Cancer Vanguard event was something that I felt very privileged to be a part of. It is very much centred on making positive changes to cancer care in Greater Manchester. To be in a room full of medical experts, chief executives and other patients who felt like me was daunting at first, but every person there made me feel welcome and an equal. They kept saying that patients are at the heart of these new services. 

Before this event I had no idea of the hard work that was going on to try to improve the system. Listening to the consultants and specialists speak with such passion for change made me very hopeful for the future. 

Being filmed helped me to voice my personal opinions about cancer services and to share my own cancer experience. 

When I was 17 years old I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. By the time I reached The Christie I was informed that it was a stage 4 cancer (the most serious). My left lung had collapsed and I had 4 tumours. 

One of them they classed as ‘bulk’ which they explained to me meant that it was larger than 13 centimetres (if my memory serves me correctly). 

This had all happened because I wasn’t taken seriously by my GP. I had visited several times over the course of around 2 years, but wasn’t referred to The Christie until the end of that period. I believe that this delay meant I needed to go through aggressive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. 

I cannot fault the efforts of The Christie, nor the treatment given to me at the time. However, I have since found out that they no longer use the chemotherapy I was given as they have found a less invasive version. But this is just a sign of how treatment is improving. A lot of chemotherapy leaves people with side effects that they will suffer with for the rest of their lives. A common one being infertility, which is something I was warned about numerous times. However, in 2013, against all odds, I managed to welcome my daughter, Georgie into the world. 

Although I was incredibly lucky to have my daughter, the problems I faced were all due to my late diagnosis. This along with better patient aftercare is very close to my heart. 

Surprisingly, I found that after my treatment was when I needed help the most. I’m very pleased that these are some of the issues that Manchester Cancer and The Vanguard want to improve, especially early diagnosis, as this is so important in the most important thing - survival!

Being involved in such a large movement is more than I could have hoped for just a year ago and I feel very privileged to be a small part of the changes being made. It also gives me a chance to give back to the hospital, people and charities that helped save my life. 
If we can galvanise the system through experiences like my own, it almost makes my late diagnosis worth it. 

I didn’t get the usual lecture about smoking so I had nothing to rebel against, that’s how I finally gave up smoking - Sylvia Coleman

Sylvia Coleman, Christie patient

Sylvia Coleman

Around a year ago I was referred to The Christie for preventative surgery. My family has a strong history of female cancers and I found out I was at a significantly higher risk myself. To make matters worse, I was also smoker.

That is, until I met The Christie’s Health Promotion Advisor Charlotte Finchett nearly 12 months ago whilst coming to The Christie to have my ovaries removed and a double mastectomy.

I had attempted to give up smoking several times before and been to a stop smoking clinic, but the experience was not a good one. I had sat in a chair with a lady telling me how smoking makes you smell and showing me pictures of peoples’ lungs and a huge cancerous growth on someone’s neck. 

We discussed general health issues and then I was given a prescription for a patch or something else. I politely accepted the prescription and would then go away and have a smoke whilst waiting to pick up the prescription. 

I had also tried Champix, which was good because I could smoke for the first few days. It worked for me initially but then it made me feel sick and gave me strange dreams - so that was the end of that and I had another ciggy to make me feel better. 

When I tried patches they didn’t seem to be working – until I worked out that they were getting stuck on my jumper and not my arm. When I did manage to secure them to my skin they gave me a rash and so, you guessed it – I stopped using them and decided to have a smoke.

Before my first appointment at The Christie I was so anxious that I smoked five cigarettes and during my appointment I kept thinking about having a ciggy. 

After my first appointment at The Christie I was encouraged to attend The Christie’s Stop Smoking Clinic.

I had managed to reduce my intake to three cigarettes a day because I was having an operation but this would have been only temporary, I am sure about that. 

I met Charlotte and was very impressed as she did not give me the usual lecture about smoking and she believed me when I said that I had already cut down to three cigarettes a day.

I did not feel like she was forcing me to stop smoking so I had nothing to rebel against. And I think that’s what must have worked for me!

Charlotte gave me a plastic thing which looked like a female item and showed me how to use it. I was not hopeful, but it worked. It was lovely as I could be honest about my smoking and was not made to feel ashamed about it or feel like a failure.

I didn’t dread the smoking cessation appointment – and actually started to look forward to having a chat with the staff and I even had a relaxing head massage at one of the sessions. 

Charlotte and the staff understood that I smoked when I felt stressed or was being told not to smoke. They helped me to look at other ways of managing this. 

I can’t believe that it has been 12 months already. I still feel like a smoker, but I choose not to have a cigarette, and this is all thanks to Charlotte and The Christie - so thank you very much. 

I know as well as anyone how hard it is to give up. But if you are a patient or close to someone who is a Christie patient then it’s worth trying The Christie’s Stop Smoking Clinic.

If I can give up then anyone can. So give it a go. 

Visit www.christie.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/living-with-and-beyond-cancer/staying-healthy/going-smoke-free/ 

The Rhythm of Life Choir at The Christie - Katherine Marsland

Katherine Marsland – Christie patient

Katherine Marsland

I've always wanted to be in a choir, so when I heard rumours of a Christie choir being launched last year, I couldn't wait to sign up. One cold winter night last January, we held our first gathering and the 'Rhythm of Life' choir has been in full swing ever since.

Originally started as a breast cancer choir, the choir is now open to ALL patients and carers as well as Christie staff.

Each session usually starts with a few warm up exercises before we start singing. Over the past year our repertoire has grown and we sing a large range of songs from Latin canons, to musical favourites and traditional African songs. The rebel rousing 'Nana was a Suffragette' has become a group favourite along with the beautiful African song ‘Pura Mamine’.

Our teacher Carol, has the ability to a coax the best out of everyone. She also has a wonderful way of visualising and explaining the lyrics to each song. For example the latin lyrics to 'Da Pacem Domine', or Peace in our time, have become a stress free bus journey: "In-di-A- bus, no streees!"

Singing is good for the soul and as Carol explains, the primary aim of the choir is to make us feel good. For me, the choir has become both a fun way to spend a Monday evening and great way to escape the ups and downs of treatment. I love the buzz I get from singing and the 'feel good factor' you get from singing in a group. There's nothing more satisfying than getting your head and your vocal cords around a beautiful harmony.

As well as putting a smile on your face, research shows that there are lots of additional physical and psychological health benefits to singing. Apparently choristers’ heartbeats synchronise when they sing together, which can have a calming and bonding effect. It stimulates the release of hormones which make us feel happy whilst lowering stress levels. Singing also encourages greater lung capacity, improved immune system and even a reduction in chronic pain. It can even help control snoring. What's not to love about singing!

We had our first performance just before Christmas, singing to Christie patients waiting for their appointment, where we sang three songs. Although a little nerve-wracking, I really enjoyed performing and it was great to see the positive reaction our singing had on other patients.

Our numbers are slowly growing but we'd love some new recruits, so if you're looking for a great way to make some new friends and to share your experiences, then please come along. You don't need to be able to read music, just some enthusiasm, a warm jumper and bottle of water.

We meet every second Monday evening at 7.30pm in the conservatory in the glass corridor. If you are interested in joining the choir please contact Ros or Kathryn on 0161 446 3996 to check dates or email: Rosalyn.Fox@christie.nhs.uk or Kathryn.Rashed@christie.nhs.uk

Katherine Marsland sadly passed away earlier this year. This blog has been published with the support of her parents Doreen and Jim who knew how much Katherine loved coming to the choir and how much she gained from singing. 

Not many people are lucky enough to get to sing with a star like Chris Martin - Jennifer Miller

Jennifer Miller, young oncology patient (age 22)

Jennifer Miller

Not many people are lucky enough to get to sing with a star like Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay, but that’s what happened to me last weekend at The Christie. And I could never have imagined that it would happen 18 months ago, but 18 months ago I had no idea that I was about to be diagnosed with Leukaemia.

When I was diagnosed with acute promyeloid leukaemia in February 2015, I lost my confidence and thought I had lost my love for music and singing.

I was being treated on the Teenage and Young Adult oncology unit and it was a tough time. My veins narrowed and I had to have a number of lines put in for the treatment to be administered. After every round of chemotherapy I seemed to pick up an infection and needed to be brought back to The Christie.

The nurses would joke with me because no matter how ill I was I always had my music on and was singing along to it - this was my way of coping with what I was going through.

It was during this time that I met Steph, the music teacher on the Teenage and Young Adult oncology unit, and she helped to restore my love for music and singing. Steph had confidence and believed in me.

Every time I had to come back to The Christie after treatment meant I could practice and learn new music. At first I wanted to learn a new instrument but the headaches and chemo made me so ill that I couldn’t stand to practice for more than 5 minutes, as it was just so hard to concentrate. So Steph suggested that it would be best to stick to singing and I agreed.

I was encouraged to get involved in the young oncology unit band called YOU62. The band is made up of young cancer patients who all come to The Christie on a Thursday to practice and learn new songs.

The band have done some fabulous things. We were invited to go to London for an amazing opportunity to record our own song at Vivid Colours Abbey Road which is now available to buy and the money goes to The Christie.

Going to The Christie and singing with the band is what is getting me through life at the moment. The band has given me so much more confidence and belief in myself. I have been given opportunities that I would never have believed in myself enough to do without the band, like singing at fundraising events and in front of staff and patients at Christmas and Halloween.

But, without a doubt my favourite experience was last weekend when Chris Martin from Coldplay came to meet the band and other young patients at The Christie. We were given the opportunity to sing for him and then to sing with him - one of his songs The Scientist!

I can’t explain how amazing this was. We then sat around talking to Chris. He asked us about the YOU62 band and we asked him lots of questions. Chris then posed for photos with us and singed CDs and merchandise. As he was leaving he said he’d had a lovely day and wished he didn’t have to go to work, as he wanted to stay and sing and talk to us, but he had a Coldplay concert at the Etihad stadium that night.

Chris’s tour manger came back with a gift bag for us all. It was so thoughtful, we had tour merchandise and badges, iTunes gift vouchers, felt tip pens, notepads and Lego - all things we can use when we are in hospital.

I went home smiling and telling everyone about my day and how down to earth and amazing and genuine Chris Martin was. I didn’t think the day could get any better but how wrong I was. 

As I got home and opened Twitter and Facebook to upload my photos and videos Coldplay had posted a video from the concert. In it, Chris Martin was telling the whole Etihad stadium full of Coldplay fans how he had been to visit us and had the opportunity to sing with YOU62. He then asked the whole stadium to join in singing the chorus to The Scientist and said he was dedicating it to us. I was so overwhelmed. I was covered in Goosebumps and crying. It just shows that some celebrities are really down to earth.

I’d want to thank The Christie, the Teenage and Young Adult oncology unit and the music teacher Steph for believing in me and giving me all these wonderful opportunities.

Without The Christie, and all the wonderful thing they do for young patients, I don’t think I would have got through my diagnosis and treatment. I have also made some amazing friends and am so lucky to be part of a wonderful band doing something I love.

Thank you.