DREAM WRITE UP: Jane Clendon
Giraffes and Special Memories
My name is Jane; I am married and a mum of one.
14 years ago, I was first diagnosed with stage four secondary breast cancer. My world just went into a tailspin – but like most mums, I decided I better just get on with it as I could not change it and did not want to waste a day.
Fast forward 13 years and I have experienced things I never thought I would see – my daughter finishing her GCSEs and A-levels. Going and graduating university. Her getting married, being at the birth of my granddaughter. Having nearly 7 years of my beautiful granddaughter and all the adventures we have managed to cram in during that time.
I have been very lucky in that I have worked all the way through, as I’ve been supported by fantastic family and colleagues.
This last year however has been more challenging. I have had three lots of what I call “proper chemo.” (where your hair falls out) and each time being told I have more tumours than when I started.
Again, I have been extremely lucky – my oncologists are fabulous and have always “got me” and the care I am given at the Chatsfield Suite by the wonderful special nurses has been exceptional. To the point that recently I became quite low in mood (which was not like me normally) and one of the nurses picked it up. She gently guided me into a side room – asked me what was wrong. Then spent a good hour and a half listening to me cry, moan and break my heart over the fact that I have now got lung and liver cancer, knowing my life was really going to change.
It all started when I knew I would not get insurance to go on a five-day break to Disneyland Paris with my family.
The nurse told me yes, we probably will not be able to go to Disney, but we can put you in touch with the charity Evestrust and they will be able to sort out something wonderful for you to look forward to.
The nurse put in my request for me and in no time at all I was allocated my Dreams Coordinator, Baileigh and she was to be dream maker. Evestrust got in touch within an hour and that very day had sorted out a two-night trip to a Chester Zoo lodge. Where we’d be sleeping and waking up with the incredible giraffes just wandering about outside the window, my favourite animal. I am not sure who was more excited me, my daughter or my granddaughter. They’d said we could’ve gone within just a fortnight of starting the process as they’d been supported by the incredible people at OneCall Insurance, they were so quick and helpful, but we had other existing plans, so they quickly put together the arrangements their end and booked us in for two weeks after that. We didn’t have to do anything; it was all taken care of.
We all had a fab time and just what we needed, the package was great. Will not give too much away so it is a nice surprise for future guests, but everything was catered for and the memories we shared will stay with us forever.
Many many thanks, Evestrust and especially you Baileigh, for letting us clock up yet another special memory.
