'I immediately felt a sense of calm...'

SUPPORT . . . Chris (left) with her daughter Jayne

CASE STUDY

AFTER her mum experienced a "haven" of support and help at her local Maggie's Cancer Support Centre, Jayne Clarke is backing the Maggie's Oldham fundraising campaign.

Jayne, principal at Oldham Sixth Form College, is eager to raise awareness and promote the charity after her mum, Chris Nuttall, experienced first-rate support at her local centre when she was diagnosed with mouth cancer and underwent major surgery.

Chris, a retired headteacher, was initially diagnosed with the disease six years ago, but has sadly more recently been told the disease has returned and is now terminal.

Indicators

Jayne (45) said: "When we heard the initial diagnosis we were shocked. Mum had none of the indicators for mouth cancer ­- she isn't a smoker or a drinker and it is more common in men than women.

"I felt so helpless at the time and concerned about the major surgery she would need."

Chris (67), who lives in Cheltenham, underwent an operation to remove the tumour in October, 2010, and began gruelling radiotherapy to kill off any remaining cells in January the following year.

"Her recovery after her operation had been very positive, each day she was feeling stronger and getting better," Jayne said.

"But the radiotherapy was different and had a cumulative effect over time."

It was after the radiotherapy that Chris discovered Maggie's Cheltenham after hearing about the centre from a Macmillan nurse.

Describing her first visit, Chris said: "I immediately felt a sense of calm.

"As soon as I entered the building, it was like I was shutting the world of cancer and treatments outside and entering a different haven.

"The staff were incredibly welcoming and yet unobtrusive, which I was grateful for."

She added that she valued communal spaces available to sit with a drink and a biscuit to chat with other patients as well as quiet private areas for time alone.

After hearing about the variety of free courses and treatments on offer at the centre, Chris began private sessions with a clinical psychologist for support when she felt at her lowest.

"It was because of the invaluable experience I had at Maggie's that inspired me to want to give something back," Chris added.

"So, when I wrote my book 'Will I Still be Able to Smile?', I had no hesitation in saying all proceeds from sales should go to Maggie's."

However, in July, 2014, grandmother-of-two Chris was told that a second tumour had developed in her mouth.

Initially the family were told the tumour was inoperable due to its location, however Chris's consultant decided to attempt another major operation to remove the tumour.

This time the side effects were much more significant, affecting Chris's eating, drinking and speech.

Impact

Jayne said: "My mum continued to meet with the clinical psychologist at Maggie's and was able to discuss the impact on her everyday life.

"Having support from someone to talk to has been crucial in helping mum adjust and deal with the significant changes in her life.

"Mum has been amazing throughout all of this and continues to smile through it, but the help from Maggie's has been a really important part of it.

"Mum has received superb treatment from the NHS in the hospital. Her consultant still maintains regular contact even though she is now under the palliative care team.

"But Maggie's is something else, it has a much more personal and homely feel to it."