National Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist Day - 14th March 2025

My utterly wonderful CNS Lucy , she goes above and beyond in kindness. Her expertise and knowledge dealing with bladder cancer is amazing. I truly feel like she has “got my back” . I have absolute trust in her . It has been a tough journey that she has made easier. I wish I could give her a medal to let her know how great she is . 

All of the oncology and surgical team treating me for bladder cancer have been excellent. And in particular, my CNS Kay kept me and my family close company when I was preparing for my radical cystectomy.

Then, not long before the due date,  they found a clot in my lung and cancelled my op while treating me to thin my blood. Between Christmas and New Year, Kay worked hard with others to arrange several tests to see if that had worked while supporting us by phone throughout.

Meanwhile the tumour was still growing.  In every interdisciplinary meeting, Kay helped move my case forward and they operated successfully only 2 weeks after the original date. 

Then, while I was in hospital and later, she gave me good advice on managing life with a stoma and getting on with things I always wanted to do, but hadn't yet. Even last year she helped sort out a regular review that hadn't been scheduled.

I cannot thank her enough for everything she has done and am sure other patients would agree wholeheartedly.

Sharon is a CNS based at Singleton and Morriston hospitals in South Wales. She has been my CNS now for 5 years. I read stories about how patients can't reach theirs with calls and messages going unanswered. Sharon has always been on the ball with me. I have been seen three times outside normal review, the last one past my five year discharge. She's looked after me and got me seen promptly when I need, chasing consultant surgeons and oncologists relentlessly. 

Their work is hard on the heart. It's their job to look after patients' bodies and souls when the consultants have moved onto their next. We patients are lucky to have them and a good CNS is worth their weight in gold 

Mel based at Poole hospital. Wonderful CNS who has calmed my worries for five years. Explains things clearly and gives me hope which is so important when living with cancer. I trust her 100% and thank her  for always being there.

My excellent CNS Katie at Chorley Hospital is professional, caring and always has a smile and a kind word. She has made my journey easier. Thank you. Michael

Big shout out to Fay at Neath Port Talbot and Morriston Hospitals. She is an absolute star nothing is too much trouble. Her team are great too all stoma specialists. Incredible dedication to service. Leo

My fantastic CNS, An Su Manoj from North Devon District Hospital has been a stalwart support to me since my diagnosis in 2017. Anything which worried me, I could phone her and she will always find time to investigate my concern or explain a treatment. She diligently smoothed my process through the Urology system. I still see her at screening cystoscopies but after 8 years, thanks to successful treatment, just once a year now. Nonetheless she always remembers me and my history. She is a marvellous outstanding professional, highly valued by her patients and colleagues alike. She has my eternal gratitude for being there at one of the worst times in my life. 

Lisa Ross my MacMillan nurse from Pinderfields Wakefield was there with me at diagnosis through treatment at Leeds cancer centre also there for my pet ct results. The following 5 years if I needed her was at the end of the phone or email. Was a lovely surprise at my last scheduled appointment came to thank me for my blog and work on the MacMillan forum helping others. 
recently she contacted me asking if I had 5 mins to reassure a patient that they could do the same treatment that I had gone through. 
She’s  worth her weight in gold. 
Hazel