Our Stories
JANE AND LOTTIE
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Jane's daughter Charlotte (Lottie) was just 3 years old when she was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2019. Charlotte began to feel unwell with a number of infections and had to be treated with antibiotics. A year later, she went to her GP after finding a lump in her collar bone, and was then diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Charlotte began to receive treatment at East Surry Hospital, which was initially successful. She received six sessions of chemotherapy which were effective at first.
Unfortunately, a few months later a PET scan revealed that the cancer had returned, and Charlotte was given a stem cell transplant. Sadly, six months after the transplant, Charlotte took a turn for the worse. Charlotte's family decided to home her at one of our hospices in Sussex. For Mum Jane, it was a poignant way to giver her daughter the care she needed during her final days.
Jane commented "It was lovely. I felt closer to her and was able to come and see her every day in her private room. I think the service greatly helps families who are going to lose a loved one, or for some to be thankful if they haven't."
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Sadly, Charlotte passed away just 3 months after coming to the hospice. We feel so fortunate to have been able to give her a safe and warm home for her final few weeks and we'll remember her with such fondness and warm smiles.
JAKE AND DAVINA
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Jake was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2018 when he was just 10 years old. He received six weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy at East Surrey Hospital. He was given the all clear at the end of 2018.
Just two years later, the family were on holiday when Jake started to complain that his legs were hurting. After having tests, they received some devastating news, sadly the cancer had returned and he might only have five months to live.
"It was a shock to go from clear scans to it all suddenly coming back" his mum, Davina, commented.
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Despite his poor prognosis Jake managed to do a lot of the things he enjoyed. He was a huge football fan and met some of the players. Unfortunately, his symptoms got worse and in March 2019 Jake passed at home surrounded by his family.
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Davina said "I am so thankful for the treatment and support that Jake received at The Sussex Cancer trust. The team went above and beyond and I will always be grateful. I know that by taking part in Celebrate a Life, my gift makes a difference to the lives of other cancer patients and their families.
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Jake will be remembered fondly by all of the team here at thel Sussex Cancer Trust. Not least by Max our in house Labrador who took a real shining to Jake and slept on his bed during his time here.
ANDY AND NIKKI
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​Andy, aged 17, had been diagnosed in May 2019 after feeling increasingly fatiqued and having lost a lot of weight. As a young building apprentice, he was used to working long hours but became increasingly unwell as time went on.
After several visits to the GP and a series of blood tests, Andrew was sent straight to his local hospital where they gave the cancer diagnosis. He was immediately transported to The Royal London Hospital for emergency surgery.
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Throughout his treatment over the next few months, Andrew spent time in wards across Sutton and Chelsea. He had two courses of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, which unfortunately wasn't successful.
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In August 2019 he went onto a drug trial for four and a half months, but sadly was told in June that there was nothing more they could do. He was admitted to the Sussex Cancer Trust Hospice where he passed shortly after, aged just 18.
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It was an incredibly difficult time for Nikki and her family, with her and Andy's youngest child just four years old.
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Nikki says "We couldn't have got through everything without the nurses and staff at The Sussex Cancer trust. They were so kind and supportive. I can't thank them enough".
SOPHIA AND TARA
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Sophia was just 12 years old when she began having shortness of breath, pain in her back and headaches. Her GP first thought she had a virus; so when tests showed she had leukemia, it was a real shock.
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Sophia had been having treatment for about a year and a half before coming to the Sussex Cancer Trust hospice. Her main treatment was chemotherapy however she also endured spinal taps, surgeries, blood and platelet transfusions, amoungst other things.
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As a single mum to Sophia and her younger brother, Tara juggled Sophia’s medical appointments with her full-time job and the kids’ homework and after-school activities, all while trying to have a normal life.
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But things got a little better. Sophias hair began to grow back, she started to have more energy, feel better, and develop an insatiable appetite! She is one of the lucky children to have survived her battle with cancer.
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Having a safe, accessible and comfortable home at the SCT hospice helped Sophia in her recovery as she was able to receive regular visits from her friends and family.
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Sophia is now back to school and enjoying life. She still visits us regularly and wants to become a volunteer for the hospice just as soon as she can.
