Case study
Katrina’s Story
A solicitor was admitted into hospital suddenly with abdominal pain. Within 24 hours their life had changed irrevocably when they were fitted with a stoma. As if this wasn’t enough, another bombshell quickly followed – a life-threatening cancer diagnosis. This is a story of unexpected health issues striking someone down dramatically, a will to survive and how The Solicitors’ Charity helped them during a difficult time.
Story
Catching up with Katrina in the present day, she is the picture of health and one would never know what she and her family have been through in the preceding 12 months… we take up her story on a hot summer’s day.
During a heatwave, Katrina started experiencing very bad pains in her abdomen and was running a 40-degree temperature. Initially putting it down to the hot weather, the pain continued to persist and eventually she rang her GP practice and asked them to see her urgently. She was thought to have appendicitis and was rushed to hospital.
In fact, she had a large tumour growing in her bowel which necessitated an immediate stoma being fitted. Tests to the tumour later revealed that it was cancerous and she would need a major operation and 3-week hospital stay to save her life.
Katrina had the operation done in a hospital many miles away from her husband and family. Whilst she had income protection insurance and could meet regular household bills, the family had little spare money to pay for the travel, accommodation and food needed in order for her husband to visit her regularly in hospital during her surgery and recuperation.
The Solicitors’ Charity was able to assist with these extra expenses to get Katrina and her family through a difficult time. They even paid for her children’s after-school activities so that life could carry on more normally for them during this stressful period.
She’s been declared cancer-free and thankfully has found a local cancer support group with people attending that have been through a similar experience. Katrina also now knows that she can contact The Solicitors’ Charity at any time for other wellbeing support she may need to help her recovery (perhaps emotionally and professionally) – like for example, talking therapy or career coaching.
Given her experience and support received, would she encourage others to contact The Solicitors’ Charity?
She says: “In a law career you are helping others. You should not be afraid to ask for help when you need it. The support the Charity gave me took the weight off my shoulders and allowed us to get through an awful time and come out the other end. So much so, that I am going to America next week after having been on a zip wire for the first time last month!”
It’s heartening that the relatively small sum The Solicitors’ Charity contributed to some unplanned expenses helped Katrina and her family so much. We are delighted that she has recovered so well from her medical emergency and inspired to hear about her next adventure! We will continue to keep in touch with her progress.
