For three years, we did all we could, both enjoying life as much as we could as well as managing her treatments.
45 stories for 45 years. Throughout 2026, we’re sharing the stories of our clients, volunteers and staff who make the Wessex Cancer Support community what it is.
Through our community’s lived experience of cancer, we can provide our clients with the tailored support they need.
For this edition, our client, Don, from our Chandler’s Ford Centre shares his story.
I got lucky. When I met Teresa, I knew she was a very special lady and we were married within 8 months. For 53 years, we did everything together; we never argued, we just understood each other. When she was diagnosed with cancer, it was really hard.
Cancer had been a feature in Teresa’s family; she wasn’t the first to experience it. But she was the one that her family and I would go to when we needed support; she would know what to say and what to do. As a family we were very close so we all had to come to terms with Teresa’s diagnosis.
For three years, we did all we could, both enjoying life as much as we could as well as managing her treatments.
We wanted to get out of the four walls and see different scenes. We went on coach holidays or trips in our campervan; we wanted to travel to places we hadn’t been, like Wales, Scunthorpe and the Northern coastline.
Teresa was also recommended to come to the Wessex Cancer Support Chandler’s Ford Centre to talk, which she did. It took her a bit of time, she was quiet and reluctant at first. But she did talk to people and, the more she visited, she’d bump into people that she knew and start to open up more. Each week she got better and better. The Wessex Cancer team helped a lot; they were very supportive
There were days when it was difficult to have the energy to come in, but in those moments we did as much as we could, and as much as Teresa wanted. But as her confidence grew, I felt better, too, because Teresa was talking to someone. We visited once or twice a week and having treatments in Centre made her feel so much better.
Teresa wanted me to go in with her, encouraging me to seek support as well. One of the volunteers, John, who had known Teresa for a long time, would welcome me and they talked me in to staying.
I always felt welcome coming into the Centre. Week after week we’d go back.
We lost Teresa last September. She was the fourth daughter in her family and now there’s only two left.  I remember thinking ‘what do we do next?’.  Her funeral was the worst moment, so many people turned up, family and friends, because she was such a special lady.  That was tough, I love her so very much.
As the listener in our family, it was hard to know who to talk to with Teresa gone. The family had been really supportive when Teresa was around but now I know they are suffering to.
Visiting the Wessex Cancer Support centre has allowed me a space to explore and talk about how I feel. I am so grateful to the team encouraging me to come forward.
I want to encourage other people to come forward and visit too, so they have someone to talk to. It’s really helped me come to terms with some of this. It takes time but there’s always someone to talk to.  I want other people to know they are not on their own.
I was so proud when my daughter, Mel, rallied other parents to sponsor Totton U15 Football kit in Teresa’s memory. Our grandson, Kieran, is a keen player so he and all the team were disappointed when they couldn’t find a kit sponsor. Teresa was still with us then and benefitting from Wessex Cancer Support’s assistance, so Mel and team manager Barry decided putting the Wessex Cancer Support logo on the kit would be a very fitting tribute. Mel then rallied the other parents to raise enough money to buy it. Although Teresa never got to see Kieran in his kit, I know she’ll be looking down and cheering him on anyway.
Life without Teresa is hard but I’m trying to carry on what we started, visiting places we’d always wanted to go but couldn’t. That’s given me something to focus on and I’m looking forward to a trip to the Dordogne with my sister in September. That will mark a year since I lost Teresa.
We had over 50 amazing years together so I still think I got lucky when I met her.
Our community provides a safe, supportive space for people affected by cancer. Through our emotional and wellbeing services, we provide the support to our communities in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
We’ve been here for you since 1981.
You can call or email your local cancer support centre today, or drop in to speak to our friendly team.
And if you would like to learn more about volunteering and becoming part of #TeamWessex, you can find out more and apply here.
