Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page. Your support means so much to me and to those who benefit from the incredible work of the charity DDRC Healthcare (Dive Disease Research Centre). One of their roles is to deliver Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy via a hyperbaric oxygen chamber and this is the treatment I went to Plymouth to receive for my ongoing chronic health problems following radiotherapy 36 years ago.

I am aiming to raise £1,000 to support their vital services. By donating through JustGiving, you can be assured that your details are safe and your money will go directly to the charity, making it the most efficient way to contribute.

DDRC Healthcare is a charity dedicated to providing life-saving/changing medical care and support to individuals in need. Every day, they make a profound difference in peoples lives, but they cannot do it alone. The need for resources is greater than ever, and your contribution can help bridge that gap. Please consider making a donation today; every little bit helps us reach our goal and continue this important work.

I shared the chamber with a number of different people over the 8 weeks of my treatment. Lisa, who went the whole distance with me; Tim who was several weeks ahead of me and we shared just a couple of weeks; Lewis, who was on his second round of treatment, joined me for 2 weeks and Merry who was in the chamber for a week. Other people also came and went over the 8 week period, some were divers, some having treatment for wounds that refused to heal, several having treatment for the long term effects of radiotherapy, some for a particular type of hearing loss. I think I can safely say, we all felt the positive effects of the treatment and were very grateful to the highly professional and empathetic DDRC team - they are a truly amazing group of people.

My story goes back 36 years to when I was 29 years old and was diagnosed with cancer. I received radiotherapy on my pelvic area. Over time I began to experience bladder, bowel and sexual function issues, which deteriorated to a point where I was having almost back to back infections and I was experiencing painful and long lasting abdominal spasms, both as a result of internal damage caused by the radiation. Antibiotics could no longer clear the infection effectively and other mediaction was not working; I was in constant pain and discomfort.

I am now at the end of week 6 of my 8 week course of treatment, I am in much less pain and am experiencing less discomfort. In addition, I am now getting several weeks, rather than days, without an infection. This is literally life changing for me and I hope, as I continue my treatment, that these improvements will be built upon.

I am so grateful that I was referred to the DDRC through the BRI (Bristol Royal Infermary) Radiotherapy Late Effects Service. Without this treatment I would continue to be in a very difficult place with regards to my physical and mental health. I now feel as if I have a positive future ahead of me!! I can get on with my life!!