Sight is a part of life that’s regularly taken for granted. Jenny Woodhall, aged 58 from Bilborough, Nottingham, is on a mission to emphasise the importance of taking the time to appreciate the seemingly small but highly impactful things like vision, as when you’re faced with the end – that’s really all that matters.

Whilst on the waiting list for cataract surgery, Jenny was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Thanks to very short waiting times at CHEC, and the community healthcare provider’s willingness to carry out an extremely rare ‘double operation,’ Jenny is now able to see clearly, and the time she has left is being spent making the most of life and enjoying precious moments with her family.

A need for action

Jenny was first diagnosed with cataracts in January 2020, but due to the coronavirus pandemic and its subsequent strain on the NHS, all appointments were delayed indefinitely or cancelled. She eventually secured a hospital appointment in December 2023, but on arrival learned she was to be seen for her diabetes, and that she wasn’t even on the waiting list for cataract treatment. At this time, the waiting list for NHS cataracts surgery was over two years.

In August 2022, Jenny was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and was advised that she had approximately 12-13 months to live. Alongside fighting cancer, Jenny was also experiencing the early stages of sight loss due to her untreated cataracts.

As Jenny’s vision continued to deteriorate, her quality of life became worse. She grew increasingly upset over losing the ability to see her family’s faces – particularly her husband of 32 years John, her three children, and her young grandchildren Brody, Brooklyn, and Rio, as clearly as she once could.

Overcoming complex pathways

In early 2024, Jenny visited her local opticians for routine eye testing. Her optician voiced concern over the severity of Jenny’s cataracts and revealed she was now blind in her left eye, but was unable to refer her to community providers due to catchment areas and complex referral pathways.

Jenny became worried that a complete loss of vision would leave her unable to see her family’s faces again before she passed. At this point, Jenny had already surpassed her estimated life expectancy by over three months, so it was important for her to be treated as quickly as possible. The optician advised Jenny to seek help from her GP, resulting in lots of back and forth due to the complex nature of treatment pathways.

“It was very confusing at times, I wasn’t sure whether I needed the GP or the optician to refer me, thankfully I finally got a breakthrough when the doctor could refer me to CHEC for the surgery.”

Life changing treatment

“I am incredibly grateful to Sharna for taking the time to get to know me,” explains Jenny. “She really took my story to heart and was passionate about getting me the best outcome possible.”

On her first visit to CHEC Nottingham, Jenny met with Sharna Coleman, Optical Assistant, who subsequently shared the time pressure of treatment with colleagues. From here, Paul Briddon, Hospital Manager, and Ashley Kirk, Lead Theatre Practitioner, explored the potential to offer Jenny cataract surgery for both eyes.

Ordinarily, CHEC conducts cataract surgery one eye at a time, leaving at least six weeks in between procedures. After thorough clinical assessment to determine if this was the right care for Jenny, CHEC scheduled Jenny for a double cataract surgery in one day.

Jenny returned to CHEC Nottingham, and in less than a week since her first appointment, had successful eye surgery on both her left and right eye.

Going above and beyond

“Everyone at the hospital was so supportive,” explains Jenny. “Everything was explained very clearly, and Paul and Ashley were extremely professional and reassuring. All the staff at CHEC Nottingham rallied around me, as if I were one of their own, which made me feel really welcome and supported.” 

“The receptionists, Danielle and Emma, were brilliant,” Jenny continues. “It was lovely to have a chat and a giggle in the waiting room before my surgery. They really helped to calm my nerves.” 

Jenny benefitted from CHEC’s ‘Home to Hospital™’ service – a transportation initiative that offers patients free transport to and from eye care appointments and surgery, to ensure everyone can access the care they need. 

“Mick the driver was brilliant,” says Jenny. “Recently I’ve been unable to stand up on my own. Mick held me so I didn’t fall, walked me into the hospital, and made sure I was looked after once we got inside. He was fantastic.” 

On the day of her double surgery, Jenny was accompanied by her sister, Norma, who was extremely anxious and worried about the day ahead. Jenny revealed she was thankful to learn that staff at CHEC Nottingham reassured Norma and kept her informed every step of the way – when surgery on the first eye had started and finished, when surgery on the second eye had started and finished, and everything in between. 

“The whole family were really worried about me on surgery day,” recounts Jenny. “I am really thankful that CHEC took looking after Norma, and my family back home that she was updating, as seriously as looking after me. It’s been a tough time for us all, and we will forever be grateful for their kindness.”

The most magical thing

Now, less than one month after first contacting CHEC, Jenny has completely regained vision in her right eye, and the quality of her vision is better than ever before. Jenny’s left eye is coming along nicely, and her vision is getting clearer day by day. After being deemed clinically blind in this eye by her optician, this is something Jenny is extremely thankful for. 

Jenny does not know how long she has left to live, and feels that every extra day is a true blessing. After previously being unable to see her own feet, Jenny is overjoyed that she is able to see again, and believes it to be ‘the most magical thing’.

“Shortly after my treatment I was giving my grandson Rio a bath. The sun shone through the window and reflected in his big brown eyes,” recalls Jenny. “It was a really beautiful and moving moment. I thought to myself, I am so lucky I can see his eyes and smile in the sunlight. I felt really emotional, as I would have missed out on precious moments like this if it wasn’t for CHEC.“

“Not many people realise you have a choice. You don’t have to sit on a waiting list – look at what treatments you can access in the community, through providers like CHEC who work in partnership with the NHS. Being able to see again has made such a difference to my life, and I want everyone to be able to access treatment quickly, and feel the same joy I do now that I have my vision back.”

A celebration of life

In August 2022, doctors gave Jenny a life expectancy of 12-13 months. She has surpassed all expectations and is ‘still going strong’. Jenny is on a mission to truly celebrate life, and wants to encourage others to do the same. 

Jenny didn’t realise how much sight impacted her quality of life until it started to go. Now, she sees her family every morning, and is beyond grateful for that ‘simple’ pleasure.

“If I could leave everyone with one bit of advice, it would be to never forget the importance of finding joy in the small things, like spending time with family and friends, and being able to see their faces.

“Nobody knows how long they have left in this life. I’m a huge believer in que sera, sera – whatever will be, will be. But however long I have left, CHEC have made sure I can see the best of it, until the very end.”