Lewis-Manning Hospice Care Lymphoedema team support patient to relive his love of sailing
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBRnWlOs21g
Richard was first referred to Lewis-Manning’s Lymphoedema Service by his head and neck cancer Consultant at Poole hospital. We soon realised that his condition was not going to improve to a great degree because of the devastating surgery and radiotherapy he had had to undergo, however we were determined that we would offer any treatment available to us, to sustain his independence for as long as possible.
We treated him with Light therapy and manual lymphatic drainage and taught Richard drainage techniques to help his swelling. He has been instrumental in keeping his swelling stable as much as possible…He is really conscientious with his drainage at home, even on his down days.
Richard was so determined – he continued working through this treatment. His face was so swollen in the mornings, he couldn’t see properly. His swelling made it so difficult for him to breathe, he couldn’t sleep properly. He was also fainting regularly due to lack of oxygen to his brain.
Around this time in his own words, Richard accepted the fact the medication had stopped working. He decided to stop his immunotherapy. The quality of his life was the most important thing for him and his family.
During a therapy session Richard told us how disappointed he was, a friend had come up from Lymington to take him out on his boat, but his friend and sister were very nervous to let him go because of his condition.
The team spoke about this afterwards and thought how wonderful it would be to arrange a boat trip, accompanied by nurses because of his unpredictable condition.
We had such a short window of opportunity while Richard was still well enough. The team rallied together to organise the trip with a kind local supporter of the charity who provided his boat and time without charge.
On a sunny day in early October, Richard and two of our nurses took off across the water from Christchurch to the Isle of Wight and back. He treated Richard with kindness and respected his knowledge. It was so lovely to see him enjoying his trip. This meant a huge deal to Richard and gave him independence and some much needed man to man time.
The service we provide never stops at the physical treatment, we think it’s crucial to treat every patient holistically, with respect and dignity, It’s all about giving our patients and their families the luxury of TIME.