Pauline, from Braunton, said her whole life changed when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in October 2022. But after a long year of treatments, she said the Fern Centre had been a comforting and calming refuge that is helping her and her husband Roger to move forward and start rebuilding their lives.
This is Pauline’s story…
After a diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer in late 2022, my whole life changed. I would normally say that I am rarely overwhelmed but hearing the words ‘cancer’, ‘possible mastectomy’, ‘surgery’, ‘treatment’ and even ‘tattoos’, had a profound effect on me.
I was a healthy 68-year-old, happily enjoying a lovely yet simple life with my husband Roger, here in beautiful North Devon, but those words seemed to put my whole life on hold. I was no longer in control of me essentially.
In late January 2023, everything kicked in and I started my journey to enable me to be cancer free and I was looked after by a wonderful team of clinicians, every step of the way, at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E) and North Devon District Hospital (NDDH). It was a long year!
During this process, I was initially introduced to the Force Centre and then I discovered the Fern Centre, nearer to my home in Braunton. Both offered great refuge, a calming environment and support to myself, Roger and many others.
After my treatment ended, I approached the Fern Centre to help me find my way to moving forward. On my first visit, I didn’t really know if I needed or indeed wanted help but after nearly a year of appointments, you suddenly do have time to start rebuilding your life, albeit a life of adjustment.
The Fern Centre is a welcoming hub of information and support delivered by a lovely team of people.
It started with a smile and the offer of a cuppa from a friendly volunteer and immediately any reservations I had were wiped away.
– Pauline
It started with a smile and the offer of a cuppa from a friendly volunteer and immediately any reservations I had were wiped away.
Moving forward is key for me on my journey and I have attended several courses at the centre and have learnt much more about complimentary therapies available to me, all of which I have found invaluable!
Beyond that, it has been wonderful to meet a wide variety of fellow people, to share our thoughts and experiences with each other, indeed support each other and know that we are not alone!
I am now a member of a small WhatsApp group of like-minded people too, which is a direct result of the opportunities that are offered to us all by the Fern Centre.
I am so grateful for the care, support and opportunities that have been afforded to me through a very difficult time. Without it, both Roger and I would not be in the positive place we are today.
