We interviewed Katelin, a clinical nurse consultant with the Cancer Outreach team and John who is one of our myeloma cancer patients about their journey together at POWH.
Katelin – Clinical Nurse Consultant | Cancer Outreach Team
Q: What is your role here and what do you do?
A: I’m part of the Cancer Outreach Team and I’ve been here over just a year. I do patient home visits to administer cancer care treatments in the comfort of their own home. I’m a clinical nurse consultant.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your role?
A: I really enjoy how diverse the role is and helping out patients feel comfortable and relaxed. I feel lucky to be part of a team that is quite specialised. We’re one of two hospitals in the South East Sydney district that provide cancer outreach to our cancer patients.
How the Cancer Outreach Team help cancer patients:
The Cancer Outreach Team provides care to patients living at home with cancer. Many cancer treatments are administered in the hospital or a clinic, but certain types of treatment can be provided at home.
Clinical nurses can provide support to patients by:
- Providing support and advice via home visits and phone calls if patients are feeling unwell and are unsure of what to do
- Administer Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy and supportive treatments in a home-based environment.
- Assessing and treating side effects of treatment such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation.
- Manages central venous access devices such as Ports, Hickman’s and PICC lines.
- Arranging appropriate referrals in relation to a patients treatment such as dieticians, social work, psychologist and community support
John – Myeloma Cancer Patient
John first started treatment for myeloma cancer in 2016 and then started accessing the services by the Cancer Outreach Team since 2019. Katelin, Catherine and John (pictured above) have been supporting John in his cancer journey here at the Prince of Wales Hospital. Myeloma cancer is a type of blood cancer that develops from plasma cells in the bone marrow. The cancer can damage the bones, immune system, kidneys and red blood cell count.
Q: What is a memorable moment you’ve shared with the nurses at POWH?
A: One year the nurses surprised me at home on my birthday and bought me a cake! It was my 89th birthday.
Q: How has your experience been receiving treatment at POWH?
A: I can’t fault the nurses. They have been very supportive and so nice. They anticipate anything that I might need and go above and beyond while I receive treatment. I get very tired and low with energy easily with myeloma, so the nurses make sure I feel comfortable. I want to thank them for everything that have done for me. I’m so thankful.
