We are The Christie magazine November 2024

Patient stories

Des Burns Des Burns, a retired headteacher from Bury, has been receiving

immunotherapy for bladder cancer in the comfort of his home, thanks to The Christie’s pioneering at-home treatment service. When his sitting room was being redecorated last Christmas, he even had a treatment session in his garden shed! Diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2018, Des initially underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. After a period of being cancer-free, a scan revealed that the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes, requiring further treatments. Last spring, he transitioned to Avelumab, an immunotherapy drug administered every two weeks via a drip. Since last autumn, he’s been receiving this treatment at home, which takes around 60 minutes each session. Des recently marked a significant milestone with us, receiving the 50,000th treatment provided by The Christie’s home service since its launch in 2015. He appreciates the comfort and flexibility this option provides, allowing him to spend more time with his wife, Roz, and remain active in the community – including volunteering with the choir at St Michael’s primary school. "Having The Christie on my doorstep is fantastic, they have a great system in place,” said Des. “As well as having more time for my family and the things I love, having treatment at home is great for my mental wellbeing. I don't have to worry about getting stuck in rush hour traffic on my way to the hospital or finding somewhere to park. Having treatment at home takes a lot of the stress away, particularly when you are having long-term treatments for five years or more. Not having to travel to the hospital in Withington is a massive relief when it's snowing or raining.” “I’m incredibly grateful to all those in the NHS who have cared for and treated me in urology, the surgeons, the oncologists, the rehabilitation team, the chemotherapy and immunotherapy team and the ‘at home’ team.” The service offers 10 different drugs for various cancers and each Christie at Home nurse typically treats around 7 patients a day. Last year, we treated 8,466 patients from the comfort of their own home.

"As well as having more time for my family and the things I love, having treatment at home is great for my mental wellbeing."

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