Real Stories, Real Impact
A Community of Care and Support: Maria Appleby’s Experience with Velindre
It’s a different kind of place; it’s a special kind of place.
The Appleby Family’s journey
Click here to watch Maria’s interview, or continue below to read about her family’s experiences.
Last month, we had the pleasure of meeting Maria Appleby and her family on her father’s very last day of Radiotherapy treatment at Velindre.
When Michael Loughlin received a diagnosis of Head and Neck Cancer, the family were faced with huge uncertainty. Maria admitted, “it’s scary, you don’t know what’s ahead or what the future is going to hold”. Knowing the journey her father would have to go on, Maria described feeling “helpless”, desperately wanting to do anything she could to support and care for him.
Michael was referred to Velindre, where he began a six-month course of Radiotherapy treatment. As soon as they walked through the doors, some of their worries and anxieties began to ease. “You just feel totally supported here”, Maria told us, “which is really helpful at a time that is really difficult for the patients, but also the patient’s family”.
Supportive Care at Velindre
Seeing welcoming faces and knowing that others at Velindre were going through the same experience as their family brought so much comfort to Maria. She was moved to find that “even just walking down the corridor here… everybody talks to you, everybody is polite”. As their frequent visits to the hospital progressed, Maria’s appreciation for Velindre only grew and she began to feel like they were part of the “Velindre family”.
Maria couldn’t speak highly enough of the wonderful care her father received at the hands of the staff. As well as therapies and treatment, Maria was shocked to find out how well-rounded and patient-focussed the support is at Velindre. “It looks after the whole person”, she told us. Every week, she was able to attend a review to discuss her father’s needs. Through this, the family were referred to Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy to monitor the impact of surgery.
Maria was also able to ask our charity-funded welfare team to secure a Blue Badge for Michael, to aid with his mobility problems. During their reviews, they also met with Speech and Language Therapists and Dieticians, who were able to advise them on making him as comfortable and healthy as possible in his day-to-day life during treatment.
The level of care Michael received really touched his family. They were so grateful to staff for going above and beyond – and when we met them at reception, they presented the Radiotherapy staff with a huge Panettone as a present to thank them!
Another huge comfort to the family was meeting the incredible patients and families who were facing cancer alongside them. “You meet people that are inspirational here,” Maria told us, “you make friends which I think is amazing”. Being able to connect with people in the same position as them was truly invaluable to Michael and his family. It showed them that they were not facing this alone and gave them a sense of community. As Maria told us, it made Velindre truly feel like “a special kind of place”.
When we spoke to Maria, it was clear that the support they received from the team at Velindre not only made a difference to her father’s wellbeing, but to her whole family as well: “I’m really really grateful for the support… not just my dad but my family too, has been given by Velindre”. Being able to check in with a nurse, discuss additional support with a team of experts, or simply seeing a friendly face reassured Maria that her father was in the best place possible – and that his needs and concerns were understood and catered to.
Whilst Maria and her mother waited for Michael to complete his last treatment session, she spoke to us of their motivation to give back to the hospital. “As a family, we’re hoping to do some fundraising”, she revealed, “because I know, there are so many things that the fundraising team provide for this hospital… that help people on their way to good health”.
As well as giving back to the hospital, Maria had also organised a surprise to celebrate her father’s determination and bravery during this difficult period. Maria’s husband and two children were waiting outside with balloons, ready to watch Michael ring the bell to signify the end of his treatment. “From today, this is moving forward”, Maria told us, “it’s the start of a new day”.
We were able to film the lovely moment where Michael was surprised by his two grandchildren at the bell, and it was truly touching to see the family mark this special milestone together. Having spent a short time with the family, it was clear that their bond has helped them through this journey just as much as Velindre has, and we wish them all the best for the future.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Michael, Maria and their family for sharing their story with us – an act which Maria hoped would bring some comfort to families who may be setting out on their own cancer journeys. We know that their experience is one shared by many, and Maria’s words will touch many families who have visited Velindre – we are truly grateful for her kindness and generosity.
Are you feeling inspired?
Despite facing huge uncertainty, the Appleby family were able to access a community of support, care, and understanding. Their positive experience was made possible by our wonderful donors, fundraisers, and supporters – and you can make a difference too!
Find out how you can support #TeamVelindre now!
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