We can't do it without you... Sinead
Meet Sinead. Sinead is a Macmillan Cancer Nurse Specialist in gestational trophoblastic disease and germ cell ovarian cancers at Charing Cross Hospital.
Just one of many services that Macmillan| can provide thanks to the money that you raise through your coffee morning.
What does being a Cancer Nurse Specialist (CNS) involve?
The role of a Macmillan CNS is very rewarding. We meet patients when they have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness. They are often in a state of shock and frightened of what the future may hold.
This role allows us to clearly explain what medical staff have said and what the outcome of proposed treatments/diagnosis of this illness may be. The role enables you to develop a unique relationship with people who have just had their whole world turned upside-down.
By offering continuous support over time they develop trust in your opinion and you become their voice in conversations with medical staff when planning their treatments. Overall the role is about ensuring the patient is as involved as they want to be and listened to throughout their whole cancer journey.
How did you become a Macmillan nurse?
On qualifying as a nurse I wanted to gain the same experience and insight into cancer nursing as those senior nurses I met during my training. I spent many years working in oncology wards and chemotherapy units supporting and listening to the patients I was caring for. Following my degree an opportunity arose to work part-time as a Macmillan CNS. I thankfully loved the role and a year later took on the role full-time.
What’s your average day like in the job?
The working day starts with collecting messages left on the answering machine and emails from our patients and colleagues. Following around an hour on the phone you attend the oncology clinic and meet new patients and ongoing patients who are attending for a review.
In the afternoon you review your patients on the inpatient wards and help to plan towards their discharge by ensuring their symptoms are improving and their questions and worries are relieved. As a Macmillan CNS you work as part of a large team and aim to co-ordinate each patient’s care to ensure everyone has the same goal.
And what do you enjoy most about it?
I really enjoy the continuous contact with people. You can talk to a Professor, patient, concerned relative, student nurse, junior doctor all within an hour.
No day is the same and most days you leave work feeling like you have made a difference. This feeling is what makes all the challenges you encounter worthwhile.
What happened at your coffee morning this year?
This was the sixth year my colleagues and I have hosted a Macmillan coffee morning. It ran for four hours and we were delighted Larry Lamb and the Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham joined us. We received lots of donations of cakes and buns from staff and patients in the hospital. We had approximately 15 Macmillan staff helping.
What kind of cake did you bake?
I cheated and bought a cake from our local bakery! The bakery actually prepare a large cake for us each year with the Macmillan logo on it. It looks and tastes wonderful, much better can I could bake!
And how much did you raise?
We raised £2,000 on the day, which was the most we’ve raised so far. It’s a great feeling when you know all the hard work in organising the day ends up with a large amount of money raised for this fantastic charity.
Find out more
To find out more about how Macmillan Cancer Support| can help if you or anyone in your family is affected by cancer, visit macmillan.org.uk| where you'll find cancer information| and details about the support we provide|.