OSJCT Care Leader fights cancer with the aid of Henlow Court colleagues
Steph Hill is a very special member of The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) family. The dedicated Care Leader has been with Henlow Court care home in Dursley for two years.
Around the same time Steph joined the Trust, she began feeling unwell. Sadly, she was eventually diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer.
“When I found out I was initially shocked and was a bit emotional,” Steph said.
Shortly after her diagnosis, Steph underwent surgery.
“It took four and a half hours, as they found the tumour had spread to some of the lymph nodes, and more small tumours in my neck and upper chest area. I’ve had a total thyroidectomy and neck dissection – hence my Frankenstein scar. The biggest of the tumours was 78mm in diameter.”
Steph is a fighter, and she was born to be a carer.
“I went back to work three weeks after my operation and I was going stir crazy at home. I even made beds for the nurses when I was in hospital as I needed something to do. Thankfully, I am now able to perform all my duties.”
Steph is a keen footballer; her teammates from Dursley Town Ladies joined up with her colleagues at Henlow Court and hosted a football fundraising match, where they raised a £1,000 for CLIC Sargent’s Young Lives vs Cancer campaign, as well as to Steph for lost wages when she was recovering from surgery.
“I was so touched by the sentiment and that so many people turned to watch, help and play. I knew nothing about until the day. It was an amazing day – sunny, fun and I lost my voice through chatting so much!
“We wanted to do something for Steph here at Henlow Court. She’s a loved member of the team and we wish her all the best in her recovery,” Henlow Court’s Activities Co-ordinator, Rebekah Storey-Young, said.
Steph will continue to be on medication for the rest of her life, as well as weekly check-ups and monitoring, but she has faith her colleagues at Henlow Court will support her through this.
“Everyone at Henlow have been amazing during this time.”