So, how does it work?

I've been given a named palliative care nurse: she's my primary contact. If she is on or I need help out of hours, I have a different phone number which ensures I'll still get any care that I may need.

We have a pre-arranged agreement. Because I'm quite well at the moment, my wonderful nurse texts me once a fortnight. Every 6-8 weeks she visits, to make sure I'm not fibbing lol. We women, we do like to pretend we are super heroes! If I need extra help or want to be seen more often, I simply let her know.

I also have an allocated a specialist social worker/counsellor. She so far has helped me with paperwork, end of life plans and been a shoulder to cry on. She has also provided an  ear for my children who may have issues they don't feel comfortable talking about to me.

My nurse helps me deal with appointment issues, arrange for prescriptions for me, so I can avoid waiting for a gp appointment if there is an emergency and goodness, I can't even remember all the ways they have helped me in the last 10 months.

They go beyond the call of duty.

When my health deteriorates, these are the guys who will ensure I get to stay in my own home for as long as I want to. They will monitor my pain relief, they may provide a night nurse to give my family a break, they can ensure I have any specialist beds or equipment

BUT before that stage however, they are responsible for symptom management, dealing with symptoms of both the treatment and the disease.

Let me simplify this. When I was referred to palliative care, my heart broke. Ten years ago, these would be the guys who came in the last week to do ...well you get where I am going with this.

TODAY they ensure I am as fit and well for as long as possible so I AM LIVING with my diagnosis; not dying with it.

They help me to come to terms with things and get on with TODAY.

And nearly all of this amazing service is paid for by charity.

I can't ask people for money but I thought it would be nice if the many stitchers who are stitching my 'A Worry of Wizards Design which has been given freely, could make a donation on my behalf.  It neednt' be much and it can be anonymous .