The end of the treatment bell

This week, Kyrstyna Jenkins became the fourth person to ring the new end of treatment bell at the Spire Portsmouth Cancer unit, following the completion of her treatment for bowel cancer.

Retired primary school deputy head, Krystyna wrote a moving poem for the cancer team to display alongside the treatment bell inspired by the conversations she had had with the nurses during her treatment visits.

Give three joyous rings on this bell!

From the happy sound we can tell,

That this journey is done

The race has been run

And all of us here wish you well.

Krystyna thanked the nurses for their “warmth, humour and expertise” during her treatment and commended the “loving care, support and expertise” she had received.

Kyrstyna has been supported through her treatment by her husband Christopher who has used his own creative talents to handcraft the beautiful rope pull for the bell.

The end of treatment bell itself was kindly donated by Emma Pope who completed her treatment for breast cancer last month.

Emma decided to donate the bell to Spire Portsmouth after seeing a treatment bell at a cancer unit where her mother was treated. Emma described ringing the bell as a symbolic moment to say, “I’ve done it!”

Emma balanced her treatment with family life; looking after her 3 children and her work at a school and also bought her children with her to the cancer unit to help them to understand the experience she was going through.

For Emma the nursing team became “like family” over the 18 months of her treatment, “there for a cuddle, to listen or to have a giggle with”.  Although her treatment is now complete Emma knows the team are just a phone call away if she needs them at any time.

Cancer lead nurse Kate Garaty said, “Ringing the bell is a great way for patients to mark the end of their treatment with us and for all of the team to share the moment and send the patient on their way with our best wishes for the future.