Catherine Holloway, from Wirral, has a rare blood cancer called blastic plasmacytoid dentritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) and has benefited from The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre's Ambicare (ambulatory care) service. She shares her story here.
I’ve spent a lot of time in hospital since I was diagnosed in August 2024. Initially, I was an inpatient in Arrowe Park. Then in October 2024, I moved to Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool.
I was an inpatient for about four months and I’ve been in and out of hospital ever since. I’ve had chemotherapy and have just had a stem cell transplant where you have to stay in hospital for about four weeks.
In between, though, I’ve had weeks when I could be at home and just come into the day ward for my treatment. It’s two drips which take about two hours in total. The nurses are all really lovely and helpful and you forget you’re there after a while. You get to know each other so well that the nurses almost feel like your friends, although obviously it’s in a professional way.
I’m not really well enough to do a lot but when you’re at home, you get to walk around the block and enjoy the weather which is really nice. If I feel unwell, I’ve got a big list of numbers to call for advice including my own nurses.