A County Durham woman has spoken about the difference coordinated cancer support services have made to her life following a breast cancer diagnosis.
Dolly Pikuda was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 and has since undergone extensive treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.
Throughout her cancer journey, support from the Macmillan Joining the Dots service has helped her access a range of wellbeing, physical health and emotional support services across County Durham.
Macmillan Joining the Dots supports people living with and beyond cancer by connecting them with the right health, wellbeing and community services at the right time. Through a personalised, holistic approach, the service helps individuals manage both the physical and emotional impact of cancer while improving overall wellbeing.
Reflecting on her experience, Dolly said: "My name is Dolly Pikuda, and I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024.
"Since then, my life has been taken over by treatment – chemotherapy, surgery, more chemotherapy and finally radiotherapy. It has been a long and challenging journey, both physically and emotionally."
During her treatment, Dolly began attending The Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust support group in Bishop Auckland, where she met Emma Pattison from Macmillan Joining the Dots.
"At one of the Wednesday meetings, we were visited by Emma Pattison from Macmillan Joining the Dots. I introduced myself to her and explained what I had been going through. I shared how the ongoing pain and the uncertainty of living with cancer had begun to affect my mental health and how I was feeling increasingly low. I told her that I felt I needed counselling.
"Emma took the time to listen to me and asked if I was happy to share my contact details so she could explore ways to help."
Following their conversation, Emma connected Dolly with a range of services tailored to her needs. This included a health assessment through the Health Check Bus, which identified concerns around diabetes and led to a referral to the Eat Wise programme delivered by Wellbeing for Life.
While attending the programme, Dolly was encouraged to take part in gentle physical activity and subsequently joined a seated exercise class in Crook.
She was also referred to hydrotherapy sessions at the Pioneering Care Centre to help manage pain following breast surgery.
"Emma also signposted me to the hydrotherapy pool at the Pioneering Care Centre to help ease the pain I have experienced since my breast surgery. This has been great. The pool was warm and quiet and I felt much more comfortable than I would have in a public pool."
Additional support included aromatherapy and reflexology sessions through Butterwick Hospice, helping Dolly manage pain and symptoms associated with her treatment.
Recognising the impact cancer was having on Dolly's mental wellbeing, Emma also arranged counselling support.
"I spoke to Emma about how the pain was affecting my mental health. She supported me by referring me for counselling. Butterwick Hospice have been able to support with counselling sessions and we are chatting about how to best control pain now.
"Each counselling meeting has slowly improved my state of mind and I know that if things change, I can self-refer for further support."
As well as professional support, Emma connected Dolly with BuddyCups, a breast cancer support group in Durham where women can share experiences and support one another.
"In addition, Emma connected me with a breast cancer-specific support group in Durham called BuddyCups. This group meets once a month and has been incredibly beneficial, as it allows me to connect with other women who truly understand what I am going through."
Looking back on her experience, Dolly said the support she received has made a significant difference during a difficult period in her life.
"I am extremely grateful to Emma for her kindness, dedication and genuine care. Her support has helped me feel less alone and has made a real difference to both my physical health and emotional wellbeing during a very difficult time in my life."
Emma Pattison, Macmillan Joining the Dots Link Worker, said: "I have been supporting Dolly for around nine months. During this time, we have been able to connect her with a range of support services across County Durham, ensuring these were introduced at appropriate points throughout her cancer journey.
"Dolly is truly inspiring. She has been very open to exploring different types of support and has gained real benefits from engaging with other services. Being able to support people like Dolly is what makes the work I do so meaningful and rewarding."
Dolly's story demonstrates the impact that personalised, coordinated support can have for people living with and beyond cancer.
By connecting individuals with the right services at the right time, Macmillan Joining the Dots helps people improve their wellbeing, reduce isolation and feel more in control of their health and recovery.
