Jane’s Alan Hudson Centre Experience

When hospice care is first mentioned to patients, it can be natural for them to feel apprehensive. Jane Albutt kindly shared her journey of acceptance and how this has benefited her.

“Hello it’s Clare here from the Alan Hudson Centre. I’m just ringing to make you an appointment.”

I said all the right words: “Yes, OK, thanks” but in my head, I was thinking, “No thanks, I don’t want to come.”

In November 2009 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The guilt you feel after a life changing diagnoses is heavy – really heavy because it had a ripple effect on my husband, my young children, my mum, my family and my friends.

In 2020, after a routine scan, a cancer was found on my pelvis. That’s when I had the phone call from the lovely Clare. A couple of appointments in I sobbed. I mean really cried. I thought “I don’t belong here!”

In 2024 another scan revealed more cancer on my pelvis, but plans were put in place quickly and the journey continued. The support from the team never wavered.

So, you see after initially believing I didn’t belong – I know now I do belong there AND I need to be there. I, along with many other patients appreciate staff who are professional, caring and empathetic and am grateful to them for offering me a safe space and allowing me to be myself.

The Alan Hudson Centre provide my pathway of treatment, they provide my emotional support, they share my down days, they wipe my tears, they share my laughter, they support my family, they are always on the end of the phone for the smallest niggle or the daftest question and believe me there have been many!

To find out more about our services visit arhc.org.uk/services or Tel: 01223 675777.