James Ashley (Jim) was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in May 2011, here he shares his story...

I was admitted to Harley Street at Queen’s on the 17th May. We were pleasantly surprised to have a spacious comfortable room and all the necessary drugs, scans and x-rays were already all organised for me. I found the staff so friendly and they completely put me at ease. Every procedure was clearly explained to me with the reason why I needed to have it done, why I needed to take the vast amount of drugs, and the job each drug did.

My Oncologist Dr Sherif Raouf explained to me what my scans and biopsies had revealed, and then the necessary course of action, which began two days after diagnosis, and is still continuing to date.

The catering staff have been excellent and would offer me an alternative meal, to try and boost my appetite and would always have ice cream on board when my mouth was sore. Each time we have been readmitted to Harley Street at Queen’s my consultant, the nurses, RMO, chemo staff and catering staff have always been on hand to help me and my wife through difficult times.

Mrs Ashley also shares her thoughts on Jim's care...

As Jim’s wife, when we first got told of the news of Jim’s condition, I and our two children were very shocked and distressed as Jim had not been ill beforehand. We immediately felt like we were in an environment that we knew nothing about, we were all introduced to a member of the team at Harley Street at Queen’s and she very quickly became a friend to us all. She explained to us how we live with cancer, the treatments that are available, and the financial help we may have needed. She provided us with support, love and questions answered. Where possible we have always been included in Jim’s treatments, consultations and chemo, because all the staff made it clear that cancer not only affected Jim, but our whole family from me as his wife, our two children, and our six grandchildren. Thank you Harley Street at Queen’s for your wonderful support.