A WIDNES cancer survivor wants to thank staff at Whiston Hospital for saving her life.

Bernie Smith, aged 57, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in March 2011, after taking early retirement.

She said: “I’d been experiencing a little trouble when eating.

“It felt like food was getting stuck after I swallowed it.”

She was referred for an endoscopy but didn’t go.

It was only when her condition deteriorated six months later that her husband, Billy persuaded her to have the check.

Bernie said: “Everything went really quick. I had the camera test, a CT scan and saw my consultant, Anil Kaul who explained my diagnosis all within 10 days.

“I was referred for chemotherapy straightaway before being operated on.

“I have total praise for Whiston and St Helens hospitals. Every step of the way my doctors and nurses were superb.

“The support I have had from all the staff has been absolutely fantastic.

“My specialist nurses are always at the end of the phone.”

She has now joined a patient support group, Gutsy Guys to help others.

Bernie added: “When you are told you have cancer people automatically assume it means you are going to die but that’s not the case.

“This group helps patients and their families, providing support for us all.

“The whole family is affected when a loved one is receiving treatment.”

Bernie’s husband, Billy said: “The support we have received from the hospital has been amazing.

“Even after performing such a huge operation on Bernie, Mr Kaul called me personally to reassure me that everything went well.

“He has been quite remarkable. Personal touches like that make a huge difference.”