A dad says his illness left him in so much pain he "knew what it is like to die".
Brian McKenna was diagnosed with blood cancer multiple myeloma in 2017, which affects many parts of the body including the bone marrow.
The 60-year-old, from Haydock, faced 'unbearable' pain most days until he was offered an award winning service at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre that helped him manage his pain.
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The dad-of-four was referred to the centre for Enhanced Supportive Care (ESC).
Brian said: "At Christmas time, I turned to [my wife] Julie and said to her 'If dying is painful, I know what it’s like to die.'
"Before being referred for ESC, it was unbearable. I couldn’t put my arms above my head, I couldn’t sleep properly and the only way I could was by lying on the sofa propped up with cushions.
"I was also sweating profusely, having to change my clothes three or four times a day. It was no way to live."
As well as clinical support, the ESC Team provided emotional and practical support to the couple, with Julie, 53, becoming Brian's full time carer.
The couple, who have been together for 32 years and have four grown up children, said the team allowed them to have a better quality of life.
After treatment the family enjoyed caravan holidays in North Wales and their daughter’s recent 21st birthday party.
Julie says: "Brian could never put into the words the pain he was feeling. But after talking to his Clinical Nurse Specialist Justine, we received a phone call from Dr Monnery.
"He listened, understood and was able to actually describe the right words for the pain Brian felt. He explained in detail what the pain was and why Brian had it."
She added: "Brian has a fear of scans. And his diagnosis means he’s been through many of them in a short space of time.
"A member of the ESC Team put on a lead vest and accompanied Brian to his PET CT scan to help alleviate his fears. That’s going above and beyond for your patients."
The ESC Team, which is based at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool, is led by Dr Dan Monnery, Consultant in Palliative Medicine.
Brian said: "Without Dr Monnery and his team, I’d still be on the sofa, in pain.
"They’ve also been a huge support to Julie, who has become my full time carer. If she needs someone to talk to or some advice, Dr Monnery, Justine and the rest of the team are always there.
"The care I’ve received right through Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has been absolutely amazing and I’m very grateful to them all."
Earlier this month The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, which began the initiative in 2016 following initial pilot studies elsewhere, was awarded the prestigious HSJ Value Award for Specialist Service Redesign for its work in improving quality of life for patients with advanced cancer.
Dr Monnery said: "ESC is one of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre’s biggest successes of recent times in palliative care and is now being rolled out across the country.
"The project highlights the huge contribution it is making to patients like Brian and his family, whilst at the same time reducing demand on services."
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