Stoke-on-Trent Mum praises her clinical nurse specialists for “invaluable support”

A University Hospital of North Midlands (UHNM) patient who was diagnosed with brain tumour in June 2023, praised her Clinical Nurse Specialists, Louise Montgomery, Catharine James and the team for their invaluable support throughout her diagnosis and treatment.

Kimberley Baggley,  from Stoke-on-Trent started suffering from a migraine in June 2023 and after undergoing tests at Royal Stoke University Hospital, was told that she had a grade three astrocytoma brain tumour. She went on to have a craniotomy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The primary school teacher, who is now 27, said: “Getting my cancer diagnosis was a massive shock, but I didn't really have time to get my head around it. In the days after my diagnosis, I didn’t know what was happening and that is when I first met the team of cancer clinical nurse specialists. They were there at every opportunity to give reassurance and during such an uncertain time in my life, they provided a huge amount of love and care to both myself and my family.

“The CNS’s have been there for me throughout this whole process, they came to see me everyday to check in on me, and most importantly, they were there just to talk to and listen to any of the worries that my family or I had. My mum had lots of questions, but Louise and Catharine answered them, put her at ease and created that support network for us all. It was also really helpful for them to be there for my husband to give him updates on how I was doing.”

The mum-of-one, who's son was five when she was diagnosed with cancer, said the CNSs were particularly helpful when explaining her condition to him.  

“When George started to ask questions, that was when I really needed them. One day he openly asked me if I was going to die and I just didn't know what to say, as I don't think anybody would really know what to say at that moment. The team went above and beyond, giving me books for him to read at home and giving me guidance on how I could explain things to him,” she said.

Kimberley had treatment just before Christmas last year and has recently had the news that there is no sign of regrowth.

“From the first appointment in oncology to the end of my treatment, they were there at every single appointment go help with understanding the process and answer any questions that I had and ever since they have been an invaluable support. CNSs are such an important to role in the patient pathway; I don’t know how I would have gotten through my diagnosis and treatment without them. There are no words that I could say to them as a thank you, they really are amazing and I feel like I have gained really good friends in them.” she added.