Finding strength through support: Dolly's cancer journey with Joining the Dots

Joining the Dots works across County Durham to support people living with and beyond cancer by connecting them to the right services at the right time. Through a personalised, holistic approach, the service brings together health, wellbeing and community support to help individuals manage both the physical and emotional impact of cancer.

This case study highlights Dolly's experience and demonstrates how coordinated support can make a meaningful difference throughout a cancer journey - improving wellbeing, reducing isolation and helping people feel more in control of their health.

"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 this time, I joined the Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust cancer support group in Bishop Auckland, founded by Mark Solan.

"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.

"She contacted me a few days later about the Health Check Bus (Melissa) situated at Tesco in Newton Aycliffe, where a mini health assessment flagged up diabetes. Through Emma’s support, I was referred to the Eat Wise course in Toft Hill delivered by Wellbeing for Life."

Emma 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.”

"While attending, a fitness specialist checked in on us and suggested gentle activities that could help. Following this advice, I registered to join a seated exercise class in Crook. 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.

"Emma has arranged aromatherapy sessions for me at Butterwick Hospice, to help with my ongoing pain. I’ve also had reflexology which has helped enormously with my cold feet and am waiting for reflexology to help with lymphoedema in my arm.

"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; we are chatting on 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.

"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.

"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 said about Dolly: “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.

“We are now exploring the possibility of Dolly attending the Hope Programme, which is designed to help people living with and beyond cancer move forward.”

Joining the Dots is a part of Adult Wellbeing Services, delivered in partnership by Pioneering Care Partnership and County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT).