Ted is also an outstanding member of the volunteer team and a member of the St Ann’s Hospice patient carer group.

“When I was first diagnosed I was told that the prognosis was not good because the cancer had spread,“ says Ted Chatt, a former patient and now self-styled ‘crusader’ for the Neil Cliffe Centre.

Ted says his diagnosis at the relatively young age of 63 came as something of a shock since he had virtually no symptoms of prostate problems and had initially been referred to see a urologist at his local hospital after routine blood tests suggested he might have kidney problems.

“The consultant said my kidneys were fine then just came out and told me I had prostate cancer,“ says Ted. “It was a real shock but then I had previously thought there might be something wrong as I had been having some pain in my back and my groin which my doctor had put down to me being a keen golfer.”

Surgery was suggested and Ted was referred to the Christie Hospital but he soon found out that this wasn’t an option. The cancer had spread to his spine meaning radiotherapy was also not possible. Instead Ted was given anti-hormone drugs which, he says, have ‘done their job by holding the cancer back’.

While Ted has received fantastic support from The Christie he credits the Neil Cliffe Centre with turning his life around.

“About 18 months into my treatment I was feeling a bit low. I wasn’t in denial but I was particularly worried about how my wife Norma would cope as time went on,“ he explains. “I heard from The Christie about the Neil Cliffe Centre and from the very first minute we walked through the door Norma and I knew this place was going to make a real difference to our lives.”

Ted continues: “Both of us were made to feel so welcome. Everyone had time for us. They sat us down, made us a coffee and listened. I can’t tell you what they’ve done. I’d go as far as to say the Neil Cliffe Centre has made me who I am today. It’s given me my focus and a really positive outlook. I can’t thank everyone who works there enough.”

As well as benefiting from a variety of treatments including fatigue management, massage and physiotherapy, Ted says it is the emotional support given by staff and fellow patients which makes the biggest difference. “I have made such incredible friends,“ he explains. “Meeting people and being able to open up to them in a way that you can’t even do with your own family is amazing.  Norma has had so much support as well.”

Ted is now a member of the Patient  Carer Group at St Ann’s Hospice which meets to find out service users’ views on our services. He is also a volunteer. “I can’t do enough to extol the virtues of the Neil Cliffe Centre,“ he says.

Ted who has two children and two grandchildren enjoys life to the full. Having visited Italy many times in his professional life, he has a love affair with the country and its people and he and Norma enjoyed three visits during 2009. He has also done some ambassadorial work with Neil Cliffe himself. 

“Things are looking good,“ says Ted. “I still suffer from fatigue and hot sweats which are more a result of the treatment than the illness but, over time, I have learnt to master these.”

Ted is keen to share his experience of being diagnosed with prostate cancer and tell people more about the support that the Neil Cliffe Centre offers people. He has offered to talk to community and other groups as well as individuals. If you would like to arrange a talk/visit please call 0161 498 3635 or email  cwilliams@sah.org.uk in the first instance.

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