Grief group gives hope

PAULA HULBURT paula@topsouthmedia.co.nz

A heartbroken widower whose wife died unexpectedly is hoping to help other people suffering the loss of a loved one.

Chris Pearson lost his wife Jayne, 61, in March to renal failure after a battle with cancer.

The former aircraft engineer who works at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, says he believes a delay in treatment ultimately led to Jayne’s death.

But for now, the father of two wants to concentrate on trying to heal and hopefully help others.

“Honestly, I feel like there isn’t much out there to help. I was thinking how I might be able to help myself and then thought other people might benefit too.

“It [grief] comes in waves; you don’t really know what’s happening.”

Jayne was diagnosed with cancer of the vulva early last year. She underwent six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. She was told to expect a call to book a scan in about six weeks, but the pair became worried when they didn’t hear anything. Three months passed and Jayne developed severe pain in her groin and she struggled to breathe as the cancer spread. Chris says the delay in getting a scan meant the fact the cancer had developed was missed. The family are planning on taking their concerns over Jayne’s treatment to Te Whatu Ora. “I looked at her and thought what have they done to my poor girl,” Chris says.

“Yes, things can and do go wrong but what she went through is ridiculous. It won’t bring Jayne back but it might stop someone else going through the same thing.”