Linda’s Story – On the road to recovery
“I was sceptical at first. I’m sure a lot of people will think there’s a catch, but there really isn’t. People should be aware of that. The Home Wound Care nurses did a great job in assuring me that the service they offer is genuinely free for the duration of the trial. I’d encourage anyone to try it.”
Linda used pastels to draw her beloved Golden Retriever, Bosun, using an old photo of him. It’s a personal reminder of her loyal friend and companion of 14 years, and just one example of the beautiful pictures and paintings Linda likes to spend time creating.
She decided not to get another dog after Bosun, mainly because as a sufferer of Multiple Sclerosis her movement and mobility is restricted. Nowadays, she enjoys being in the garden and cooking when she can, but her condition means she can’t stand for long periods of time. That’s what makes painting and drawing such a good pastime. She makes the most of her impressive creative talent by exploring different artistic mediums and attending painting courses. It’s become an important part of her life, and key to her general wellbeing.
So, when Linda contracted cellulitis in her right leg, it began to affect both her quality of life and her positivity. A bacterial skin infection, cellulitis causes pain in the affected area, redness, and swelling. If left untreated it can lead to serious health problems. In Linda’s case, her leg began to fill with fluid, the skin started to break down, and a painful, red-raw ulcer developed over quite a large area.
Knowing that something needed to be done, she began having treatment for her condition at her local GP surgery. But after several months Linda’s condition wasn’t really improving. She was worried that her problem might deteriorate, and at the same time she was keen to get better so she could go ahead with plans to travel later in the year.
That’s when she saw an advert in a local magazine for Home Wound Care. She decided to give us a call to see if we could help.
Linda took part in our free clinical trial covering two sets of twelve-day treatments. Delivered in her own home setting, our clinical trial provided Linda with a structured treatment plan that put her on the road to recovery. Liz, one of our nurses, visited Linda three times a week initially, scaling back to twice a week when things started improving.
“As Linda’s wound continues to improve, she’ll be able to dedicate more time to the things she loves, like painting.”
Linda’s drawing of her Golden Retriever, Bosun.
“Liz has been able to spend quite a lot of time with me in my home. When I had to go to the surgery, appointments were only 20 minutes long. The appointments with Liz were longer and more tailored to my needs. The level of personalised care has been incredible. It has been a very positive experience overall and I’m so glad I found it.”
Linda completed the full course of treatment and although her leg isn’t completely healed just yet, she is now feeling much more positive about her situation. She needs ongoing support from nurses to manage a compression bandage, but she is confident she’s on the mend and has every reason to hope that her leg will have healed by the time she goes away in October.
“We’re so glad we’ve been able to help Linda in her recovery”
Linda says that her experience prompted her to sign up for more clinical trials when they become available, and she has already recommended Home Wound Care to other people she knows. She has experienced first-hand how this personalised service not only helps people get better faster, but how it also takes pressure off the NHS at a time when local health services are overstretched. She says people shouldn’t be afraid to sign up.
Two Koi Carp in mixed media, painted by Linda.