Geoff, who lives in Lincoln with his wife Alison, is receiving support from St Barnabas after emergency surgery for metastatic spinal cord compression and a prostate cancer diagnosis last year.
Over the last seven months, Geoff has set ambitious personal goals within physiotherapy sessions with St Barnabas, as he works towards standing and transferring independently. This December, he has even taken part in the Santa Fun Run to raise vital funds for the hospice.
Reflecting on the past year, Geoff says: “Last August, at 6.30am I woke up paralysed in bed. After an MRI scan, I was sent from Lincoln to Nottingham with a growth in my spine which turned out to be cancer. It was a bit of a shock, but you have to get on with what you’ve got.
“Someone from St Barnabas came to see me about filling some forms in to support with my disability. She took a lot of time and patience with me. It was done quite sensitively, but very professionally.”
Geoff now receives weekly physiotherapy sessions with St Barnabas Hospice. His personal goal is to stand and transfer with assistance.
Geoff says: “It’s going very, very well. I’ve recently just completed six miles on a bike in about 25 minutes. It’s taken a lot of time to get there, but it’s been very rewarding for me. The physio team are very, very good.
“I’d like to stand. We are practising this at the moment – so I can get in and out of my shower at home with help. That is the next big thing for me. Hopefully, we’re going to get there for Christmas time and I’m going to get up to ten miles on a bike. I’m given the encouragement and support to do it.”
Physiotherapists and occupational therapists support patients to maintain their independence and function in line with their individual goals.
Natalie, Senior Physiotherapist at St Barnabas, says: “Within physiotherapy, we look at a patient’s mobility, their strength, balance, coordination, and their general movement patterns. We ask questions to find out what they’re doing now and what they want to be able to do, and from that we can then create a plan with them and make some individualised goals.”
The wider St Barnabas team also supports families, friends, and carers by providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support.
Alison says: “St Barnabas have been there for me as well. I’ve received counselling and I know now that there is support out there for me too.”
Geoff agrees: “I always know they’re here now. It has actually given me a lot more confidence back. We’ve done very scary things like standing up and things like that, which I absolutely feared but I’m able to do this now because I’ve had a lot of help, a lot of patience, and quite a few giggles actually.
“The support I’m receiving is very professional. I’m always informed of what’s happening, when it’s happening, and the targets that are set. I always try and exceed my targets, and I think the best thing about it is the staff realise they have to let me get on with things. So, it’s quite nice when I say I need to do something and I want to go that bit further, they’ll let me have a go and we have succeeded so far.”
On Sunday 14th December, Geoff took part in the Santa Fun Run for St Barnabas, raising an amazing £1,096.26. Over 50 people also took part in support of the hospice, with an incredible £2,990.25 raised from their collective fundraising efforts.
Every pound raised allows St Barnabas to continue offering free, specialist care to patients living with terminal or life limiting illnesses, and their families. £64 could pay for a physiotherapy or occupational therapy session in the community for someone like Geoff. £1,530 could enable a nurse to deliver compassionate care for a patient in the comfort of their own home (based on 18 weeks at 2 hours per visit).
Reflecting on his Santa Fun Run experience, Geoff says: “It was a lot of fun. I decorated my chair – there was a lot of lights on there. My niece Kirsty was there with me, and I’ve just had so much support from people. It feels great to have supported St Barnabas and raised some much-needed funds for the hospice while doing this challenge.”
Are you inspired to take on a challenge? Geoff says: “Get on with it and do it. It is well worth it. And St Barnabas need the money.”