Fifty year-old Ingrid Cumming was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007.
Following a wide local excision operation (lumpectomy), doctors recommended a course of chemotherapy which would help prevent a recurrence of the cancer.

"I found the chemotherapy difficult at times," Ingrid recalls. "It made me feel so tired and sick, I began to lose my hair and really just felt very down.

"I didn't want to worry my family and friends any more by telling them how I was feeling. Fortunately, my GP realised that I needed someone to talk to and he offered to refer me to Macmillan Nurses who then referred me to HospiceCare North Northumberland.

"At first I wasn't at all keen. I felt you only needed a hospice if you were dying — and my operation had been a success.

"Eventually, though, I agreed to meet up with Joan, one of the expert nursing team at the hospice.

"From our first meeting I knew she could really help me. It was so good to be able to tell someone exactly how I was feeling.

"I had several appointments with Joan. HospiceCare North Northumberland has two Day Hospices, one in Berwick and one in Alnwick.

"As we live about halfway between the two, I went to both sites and found a warm welcome every time.

"Mostly I just needed to talk, but Joan was also able to offer cognitive therapy sessions, helping me to work things through for myself."

The team at HospiceCare North Northumberland was also able to help Ingrid with some of the physical side effects of her chemotherapy.
The charity offers a range of complementary therapies and Ingrid found that reflexology was particularly relaxing.

"It's a lovely experience," she said.

"After each session the sense of well-being lasted for several days.

"It was a great relief from some of the unpleasant symptoms I was experiencing at the time."

Ingrid also chose to attend a 'Headstrong' session at the hospice.

"For about five months during and after the chemotherapy, I needed to wear a scarf to cover my hair loss," she explained

"I must admit that, left to my own devices, I looked a bit like a pirate! I felt very self conscious. At the hospice I learned all sorts of clever ways to style and arrange my scarves.

"It seems such a little thing, but they gave me much more confidence to face the world."


Ingrid's cancer treatment is now completed and she is getting back to living life to the full.

"I wanted to tell my story to help people understand that hospice care isn't just about people who are dying — they can help at any stage in your illness.

"They did so much to help me deal with the physical and emotional effects of breast cancer.

"I'm just so glad and so grateful that they were there when I needed them."

To find out more about the services on offer at HospiceCare North Northumberland, or to make a donation to the charity, please call (01665) 606515.