Chris’s Story

“I know I’m dying, and things are speeding up, but KEMP is the one place that takes me out of it and helps me feel calm and level-headed about what I’m facing.”

This is Chris’s story…

“It was 2020 when I was first diagnosed. I had known something was wrong for some time and after testing was eventually told I had Bowel Cancer. Just as covid lockdown was starting, I had an operation to remove some of my bowel, but afterwards the pain didn’t go away. Some more tests were done, and it was discovered I had secondary cancers, it had spread.”

Chris, aged just 66, is living with a tumour near the base of his spine, in his liver, his lungs and in his bones.

“Over the past four years I’ve had up to 56 hours of chemotherapy every two weeks. I’ve had different chemo, and with scans every three months. Once one chemotherapy stopped working and the cancer spreads, we go again and try another. I’m now on my last that I can be given as far as I know, which is in tablet form. After my first scan this month, I’ll know if it’s working or not.”

Life After Diagnosis: Navigating the Changes

“When you get cancer, you’re told so many things you can’t do. I couldn’t do my job, I couldn’t go on the holidays I used to, I couldn’t do my old hobbies. I’d try new things, and it’s good for a while, but then symptoms get worse, and I can’t do those either. You’re constantly adapting and trying to stay motivated. I used to work 60 hours a week, that’s a lot of hours to fill. It’s like you drop off a cliff, suddenly everything I’d always known, I now couldn’t do.”

In 2023, Chris’s care teams at Kidderminster Hospital’s Millbrook Suite, and Macmillan, suggested KEMP Hospice. Helping to complete the paperwork and fill in the forms, they made a referral. 

“When they first suggested KEMP Hospice, I wasn’t sure about it. I had this idea of who else would be here, like a retirement home. I’m only 66 so really wasn’t sure how I felt about going, but having been recommended, I thought I need to give this a go.”

Changing perceptions of Hospice Care

“It’s not what you might think at KEMP. I’ve been coming to the Men’s Group on Monday’s since it began back in 2023. We talk about ourselves, put the world to rights and we have a laugh together. We’re all in the same boat and they understand where I am. Monday Men’s Group is my happy time; I wouldn’t do without it now.”

“The Staff and volunteers at KEMP Hospice have created a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. They all contribute to making me feel special and important, not just a number. I can rely on them, they are my advocates, helping me when I need support. They’re great, they’re positive, and they make KEMP a happy place to be.”

“We all have our moments, our down times, but coming to KEMP Hospice Men’s Group helps me not worry so much about things. We talk to each other, try to suggest things and find solutions for each other. There’s no judgement, the whole group want to be here and it’s the only place I want to be on a Monday.”

“It’s hard to adapt to the changes to my life now I’m living with cancer. My whole world just stopped. But coming to KEMP helps give me the motivation to get out of bed and get on with life, rather than just fester at home about what’s happening.”

Find out more about KEMP Day Hospice Services.