Patricia very happy with the high standard of care at Southside
Pat knows the Southside Cancer Care Centre where she receives treatment very well and she is proof that age is no barrier to health improvements and seeking medical treatment.
Sylvania resident Pat has lived in the Sutherland Shire area for more than six decades and she is a longstanding patient at the Southside Cancer Care Centre. She started going there for treatment back when it first opened several years ago.
Pat’s lymphoma was diagnosed nearly 20 years ago. In 2014 her treatment program was moved to the newly built centre. At Southside she has been treated by Dr Paul Downe.
It has been a long haul for the tenacious Pat, who reveals, “The cancer has come back seven times in that nearly 20 years.”
Currently she has finished the chemotherapy phase and is attending the centre once a month for infusions. Pat comments that treatment has become less invasive over the years.
She appreciates the welcoming service at the centre and says, “The centre staff are absolutely wonderful. Michelle, Rebecca, Esther and Kim and the new girls – you could not get better staff. They are very respectful, courteous and nothing is too much trouble for them.”
Pat values the level of care from her specialist at the centre Dr Downe. She says, “I’m very lucky, Dr Downe looks after me very well.” They joke about her advanced age and he takes a keen interest in her response to treatment. “He is very interested in my progress and how I cope with things.” Pat adds.
As well as finding all the team at the centre to be “very nice”, Pat is complimentary about the view in the sitting area reserved for cancer patients. The Southside centre windows look onto the waterways and trees of the local area, and further afield to the city and airport. “It’s beautiful. They seem to put me near the window every time.” Pat jokes, “I think I’ve got pole position!”
Pat’s family have driven her to appointments for treatment at the Miranda based centre over the years. On appointment days both her daughters now get together to help her out and enjoy a coffee and a catch-up as well.
If people, particularly those in older age groups, are unsure about attending a cancer care centre, intrepid Pat would tell them, “I say, Go for it”.
Pat is happy to recommend the Southside centre’s high standard of service: “Look, the service is second to none.”
