Two years back, Judith Humphrys got some bad news – she was diagnosed with bladder cancer and given a grim prognosis. The doctors told her she might not have much time left. But Judith, a fighter at heart, was determined to beat this illness once and for all.
Living in Great Sankey, Judith is now cancer-free, all thanks to the incredible treatment she received at Clatterbridge and Halton Cancer Treatment Centre. And she’s not keeping this victory to herself – she wants to raise awareness about bladder cancer this May, which happens to be bladder cancer awareness month.
At 74 years old, Judith has dealt with chronic kidney disease her whole life, although she didn’t need any treatment for it. She was simply under observation. It was during one of her routine check-ups that her GP asked about recent scans. After an ultrasound, Judith didn’t think much of it until she went to see a kidney specialist who delivered some shocking news.
“I was informed that there was a mass in my bladder. It was quite a shock because I hadn’t experienced any pain or noticed any symptoms. Although, in hindsight, I had been making more trips to the bathroom at night,” Judith shared.
The devastating truth was revealed – Judith had an aggressive form of bladder cancer that had spread to the muscle walls around the organ, blocking her kidneys’ proper function. Symptoms of bladder cancer can include increased bathroom visits, blood in urine, discomfort when urinating, or pain in the lower abdomen or back.
“It was truly heart-wrenching news. My husband and I were completely taken aback. We had no clue that something so serious was going on,” Judith recalled.
But the worst was yet to come. Doctors informed Judith that without treatment, she only had a few months left to live. Her world turned upside down in an instant. Fear gripped her tightly.
After surgery on her bladder, doctors couldn’t remove the invasive tumor. Judith had to have a catheter to assist with urination and a nephrostomy to help her kidneys function correctly. In March 2023, she was referred to The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre’s Halton clinic where she met Dr. Rick Walshaw, a consultant clinical oncologist.
“Dr. Walshaw took my hands and assured me that he would guide me through my treatment. I had complete trust in him and the Clatterbridge team to take good care of me,” Judith said.
Starting 18 weeks of chemotherapy treatment at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Halton was daunting for Judith. But she tried to stay positive, clinging to the hope that the team was working to cure her. She sought therapy sessions to help her cope with the emotional toll of cancer and its treatment.
“My therapist really shifted my perspective. She reminded me that I wasn’t battling cancer alone – I was working alongside it. She equipped me with coping strategies that made a significant difference,” Judith shared.
Enduring numerous challenges and feeling terribly unwell during treatment, Judith received unexpected news in November 2023 – her bladder showed no signs of cancer, and her kidney function had returned to normal.
Dr. Rick Walshaw expressed his satisfaction with Judith’s progress, saying, “Despite the initial grim prognosis, we gave Judith our all in treatment. She went through tough therapy, and we aimed to shrink the tumor aggressively, followed by intensive radiotherapy to eliminate the cancer. With unwavering support from her family and professionals, Judith made remarkable progress.”
“Dr. Walshaw and the team at Halton were incredible. They carried me through the darkest days of treatment. I’m beyond relieved to resume a normal life with my husband, children, and grandchildren. To anyone facing cancer treatment or a recent diagnosis, trust the professionals. They have your best interests at heart and will see you through,” Judith advised.
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