Mother-of-two Tina Clark says the support given by The South Bucks Community Hospice’s Lymphoedema Clinic helps her continue in her busy job as a cleaner for the elderly.
Tina, 52, from High Wycombe, suffered from cervical cancer in 2001 and had her lymph glands removed as a result.
She began attending the clinic in 2005 after the swelling in her legs became a major problem. She still goes there twice a year and says the treatment there makes a major difference to her life.
“I wouldn’t be able to work without the support I get from them. It keeps me going,” she said.
Lymphoedema is a chronic swelling, usually of the arms and legs, caused by a malfunction of the lymphatic system. This is normally as a result of cancer or other life-limiting illnesses.
Tina explained that the swelling, which can mean her legs double in size, causes pain and discomfort. But the clinic successfully treated her first with specialised Manual Lymphatic Drainage therapy and then Tina was measured for compression garments which she wears all day long.
“I think what they do is fantastic,” she said. “Without them, I think a lot of people wouldn’t be able to function,” she added.
The clinic provides the only free Lymphoedema service in Wycombe and South Bucks and receives less than 3% of its running costs from statutory funding.
Chief Executive Jo Woolf said: “The Lymphoedema clinic at Butterfly House provides a gold standard service for the local community. The service offers an assessment and a personalised clinical treatment programme at our new centrally-based hospice and also offers palliative home care visits.
“The Lymphoedema team works closely with its patients to educate and empower them to self-manage their condition – and to overcome severe pain and discomfort.”
Jo added: “The move this year into our new Community Hospice building in Totteridge will make things even better for our patients because it means this wonderful clinic will be under the same roof as all of our other services for the first time, and it will be so much more convenient for the patients.
Tina Clark’s family was so grateful for the work of the clinic that son Matthew even did a sky-dive a few years ago to raise money for The South Bucks Community Hospice Lymphoedema service.
She particularly praised the clinic for its flexibility and support, saying: “I can ring them whenever – they always fit me in.”
For further details about The South Bucks Community Hospice, email info@sbhospice.org.uk or ring 01494 537775.
