Mum campaigns for chemo at Stobhill
A COURAGEOUS young mum battling breast cancer has backed calls for chemotherapy services at the new Stobhill Hospital.
Ailsa Gourlay was diagnosed with the disease in July last year, aged just 31. Within weeks, the mum-of-two was given even more devastating news that the cancer had spread to her lungs, liver and bones.
Ailsa, from Bishopbriggs, started receiving chemotherapy at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Care, at Gartnavel Hospital, every three weeks and then weekly since October.
She is backing calls for chemotherapy to be introduced at Stobhill Hospital.
Ailsa said: "It doesn't actually take that much longer to go to the Beatson than it would Stobhill, but trying to get a parking space at the Beatson is impossible.
"My partner and I take the car, but it would be easier for me to get friends or family to give me lifts to and from Stobhill.
"If I wanted to travel by public transport to the Beatson I would need to take two buses or a bus and train.
"I receive chemotherapy intravenously and my current treatment takes all morning. I feel exhausted by the time I come out.
"To go to Stobhill would make more sense as I go there to get my blood checked and there's a consultant that does a clinic. It would also give me more time for when the kids come in from school."
Ailsa will soon stop chemotherapy, but will continue to attend the Beatson every three weeks for other treatment.
A campaign has been mounted locally calling for chemotherapy services to be provided at the new 100million ambulatory care and diagnostic centre (ACAD) at Stobhill.
Currently, patients from East Dunbartonshire and North Glasgow have to travel to the Beatson facility for treatment. The health board is carrying out a review of chemotherapy activity to determine what potential there is for delivering the service at the new Stobhill.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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