Debbie Stone - cancer survivor's daughter
Debbie Stone - cancer survivor's daughter
Debbie Stone has watched her mum Evelyn go through cancer treatment for a decade. Supporting her from the get-go, she credits the ‘NHS angels’ and team from St Luke’s for her survival to this day.
“I remember she had been sedated and she said ‘Debbie I think they said I’ve got cancer’. That’s the first thing mum said to me back in April 2012 after a colonoscopy.
“I remember how she hadn’t been feeling right for a while, with several trips backwards and forwards to the GP. She was told the stomach pain was ‘probably just constipation’. It was a locum doctor who was the first to suggest it might be cancer.
“After an operation to remove part of her bowel, six rounds of chemo followed and then in March 2013 she was given an all-clear. When the cancer came back three years later, we were told there was nothing more they could do. It was a terrible day, walking away with information about the local hospice in our hands.
“When Dr Essapen telephoned out of the blue offering further chemo everything changed. We would come in together, making an occasion of it, every third Thursday. I was so proud of my mum, sat beside her, receiving treatment, both tucking into our ‘Thursday picnics.’
“We just adore Dr Essapen. When we would go to a clinic (pre Covid) we would hug and kiss her.
“The care from St Luke’s has been amazing. They have helped my mum reach the all-clear.
“Last summer she got to see her eldest granddaughter step-out in a floor length gown, graduating school prom. For her to see Amy’s prom, a very special moment between grandmother and grandchild was shared. Thank you, all the team on Chilworth Unit, St Luke’s and Royal Surrey.”