Case Study 1
Peter Tucker
Age: 72
Home: Cardiff
Peter is a retired toolmaker and service manager for a power tool firm. After treatment for prostate cancer, he developed radiation proctitis accompanied by severe bleeding.
He was referred to DDRC’s Hyperbaric Medical Centre by his Consultant in 2006 where his treatment included a course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy over a period of three weeks, and then, one week.
Peter said:
“The results of my treatment have been unbelievable. It has made a massive difference to me and my everyday life. I had been on regular blood transfusions and my blood count was extremely low but treatment at DDRC reversed that and although I bleed very occasionally, I don’t need to see a doctor let alone have a transfusion. I now have more energy and I can get around so much better. I had to give up my allotment previously but now I’m back working at it.
I’m not 100% better but probably 95% and ! need to watch my diet. I really don’t know what I would have done without DDRC.
They are so professional. I was given a full medical on arrival and they went to great lengths to explain all the procedures very carefully to me from the outset.
I had about 40 therapies altogether and initially I had a few problems with my ears but they soon sorted that out when we found I had a slight infection.
Everyone was so kind to me. They were first class and I want to shout their praises from the roof top.”
Case Study 2
Brian Pope
Age: 69
Home: Torpoint, Cornwall
Brian is a popular Torpoint resident who recognised that his successful treatment at the DDRC’s Hyperbaric Medical Centre in Plymouth saved him from having his foot amputated.
A diabetic for 25 years, Brian had a toe removed in early but an infection threatened amputation of his foot.
His consultant adopted a programme of treatment which involved surgery at Derriford Hospital to enhance the blood flow to his foot, followed by a course of hyperbaric ‘dives’ at the Hyperbaric Medical Centre.
69 year-old Brian, a longstanding member of Torpoint and Rame Peninsula Lions Club, said of DDRC:
“This unit is unique and offers an holistic approach from all levels of staff to the patient, enhancing the opportunity of full recovery. Putting it simply, this purpose-built unit is particularly conducive for care and treatment and for me was a ‘breath of life’.”
Torpoint and Rame Peninsula LIONS were so very pleased about Brian’s recovery they presented DDRC with a cheque for £1000.
Case Study 3
Raymond Brayford
Age: 78
Home: Pembrokeshire
South Wales resident Raymond Brayford became quite at home at the Hyperbaric Medical Centre having had two sets of treatment following surgery for facial cancer but at the same time he acknowledges that life would have been easier if a hyperbaric chamber facility had been available in Wales.
Like many patients who have visited DDRC, 78 year-old Raymond is full of praise for the staff and the treatment he received and is currently waiting for a final check up with his consultant in Wales for an all-clear message.
He said:
“While the treatment is painless and time-consuming, there is a fear to start with – fear of the unknown. However, DDRC staff were at pains to explain everything and make us feel very welcome and comfortable. The treatment was first class and I am totally indebted to DDRC.”
The former garage proprietor, who was involved in motor racing in the Midlands for many years before moving to Pembrokeshire, spent his time at the Hyperbaric Medial centre staying in Hearstwell Lodge where he and his wife Peggy made a lot of friends.
“There were several other people from Wales being treated at DDRC and we developed a bond of friendship with them and keep in regular contact. It was a wonderful experience at DDRC but it would have been so much more convenient and less costly in terms of travel to have gone to a chamber situated in Wales so news that there now is one is very good indeed. "
Case Study 4
Kevin Pender
Age: 45
Home: Scilley Isles
On January 2nd 2005, a freak accident nearly cost the life of Isles of Scilly boatman, Kevin Pender, as he started work ferrying local people and visitors between the islands.
His boat was tied up tightly on St. Agnes as the wind freshened when a sudden squall put too much pressure on the mooring. However, instead of the painter giving way, the hook that attached it to the quay straightened out and, just like a cut piece of elastic, fired at Kevin with some considerable velocity inflicting horrific head wounds and knocking him unconscious into the harbour.
With a fractured skull, an eye out of its socket and his face effectively flattened, it was crucial to get him to the mainland for emergency surgery.
After extensive treatment at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Kevin was deemed fit to return home to recuperate but his head wounds soon developed infections. He was sent back to Derriford Hospital where his medical team decided that some hyperbaric oxygen therapy could assist as the infections required more than just intravenous antibiotics.
Kevin said:
“I had never heard of DDRC and, although I knew a little about recompressing divers in tanks after they get the bends, I had no idea the treatment could be used for other conditions.”
45-year-old Kevin, began an intensive programme of “dive” therapies commencing with two on the first day followed by one a day for a fortnight and the results were remarkable. However, it didn’t start too well for the boatman.
He said:
“The treatment started in the multi-place chamber with me breathing pure oxygen in a clear helmet. This disturbed me a bit as I felt claustrophobic and it dried me out and made me thirsty. The DDRC staff were fantastic. They spotted my discomfort immediately and transferred me to a mono-place chamber where I could breathe normally and even have a bottle of water with me. The attention of the staff was superb. They were sympathetic, helpful and supportive all through my treatment. I can’t thank them enough.”
The treatment appears to have worked as Kevin is back on the water again having started work on April 1st, just a day short of three months after his terrible accident.
Case Study 5
Beverley Reardon
Age: 40
Home: South Wales
40 year-old mother of three Beverley Reardon was diagnosed with a suspected cancerous tumour on her right vocal chord in July2004 and was being treated at Velindre Hospital, Cardiff.
Having undergone in the region of 30 radiotherapy treatments, it was obvious that something was wrong as Beverley was having adverse reactions and getting infections which she described as “sun burn on the inside of my throat”.
She was unable to eat and a feeder tube was introduced and increasing breathing difficulty accompanied by swelling necessitated a tracheotomy.
A hole appeared where the tumour had been and there were more infections. She was prescribed antibiotics and it was decided that either the condition would heal naturally over a long period of time or surgery would be required to remove the larynx.
At this point, medical staff at Velindre referred Beverley to the Hyperbaric Medical Centre in Plymouth where she underwent a course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a single recompression chamber under the care of Dr. Phil Bryson.
Treatment commenced on January 5th 2005 with Phil Bryson explaining that there were no guarantees but the aim was to reduce to possibility of surgery.
Beverley responded immediately to the treatment and on examination back at Velindre in Cardiff was delighted to learn that the ulcer had gone, the hole had vanished and that they could only find healthy cells.
Beverley said:
“Previously, I had to have all my food mashed now I can eat anything. The treatment and the personal attention I received at the Hyperbaric Medical centre was second to none. I was made to feel very special and if everywhere operated in the same way, it would almost be a pleasure to go into hospital.
The unit is run so well and they are very supportive. Even before I arrived, everything was explained in simple terms on the phone and I felt they were giving me immense support.”
Beverley who was accompanied by her husband Patrick and 13 year-old daughter Rachel who stayed in the family accommodation at HMC, underwent her last treatment on February 25th 2005 and returned home the next day.
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