A NHS worker who spent more than two decades of his life looking after cancer patients providing them with care, and help in the most difficult time in their life, now, tragically is providing the same care to his wife who is suffering from incurable cancer.
Eirian Evans, 45 has been married to his wife of 19 years, Rachel, with whom he shares two teenage daughters aged 13 and 17. He works as an advanced nurse practitioner at the Neath Port Talbot Hospital, and has cared for patients over a career spanning 24 years.
His wife, Rachel, herself worked as a Staff Nurse at the Swansea Bay University Health Board and retired from her role last year after being diagnosed with incurable metastatic breast cancer in the liver. This isn't her first battle with cancer, as she had previously beaten breast cancer 2019.
Eirian now looks after Rachel's well being alongside his full time job as an advanced care nurse and raising his two daughters. He shared that he felt 'anxious and scared' at the prospect of caring for his wife. For the latest Swansea news, sign up to our newsletter here
He said: "I was very anxious and scared when I realised I would need to care for Rachel. I've been in healthcare for 24 years and looked after patients with liver cancer and similar illnesses, so I knew what to expect."
However, caring is different when it's for someone you love, said Eirian. He said: "But it was very difficult because it was a lot to deal with. I was frightened as I have two daughters, and I need to make sure things are as normal as possible for them."
"Caring for the elderly is my job, but it's different when you are at home looking after your wife - the one you love and have been married to for 19 years - and see her battling through this illness," said Eirian. "It can be very daunting and it's still very difficult, but you do what you can for the ones you love."
He adds that though Rachel does not need round the clock care, he does everything to make things easier for his wife. He said: "Rachel doesn't need round-the-clock care. She can drive in the lead up to treatment, so it's mostly helping her dress and getting in and out of the bath when she's had a difficult day following chemotherapy. Whatever makes things easier for her, I'll do it."
Eirian is one of the many people across Swansea Bay who are looking after their loved ones -- unpaid carers -- who are regarded as the third pillar of the health and social care system. Eirian's dedication as a carer both in personal and professional capacity saw him being named as Wales's Carer of the Year at the Nation Radio Pride of Wales Awards after he was nominated by Maggie's cancer centre staff in Swansea.
He has been very grateful to the support he's received at Maggie's cancer centre. He said: "I have had a lot of help from Maggie's. They have helped me with a few things in terms of benefits. We wouldn't have thought of that as we were in full-time jobs. The health board has also helped me with being able to work outside of the unit I'm based in to attend Rachel's treatment in Singleton, which is a real boost for us as I can be close to her."
Organisations across Swansea Bay like the Swansea Carers Centre, Neath Port Talbot Carers Service, The West Glamorgan Regional Partnership, and Maggie's help unpaid carers with welfare benefit advice, access to grants and special funds, counselling or employment support.
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Though it can be daunting to ask for help, Eirian urges other like him to seek help when they need it. He said: "My advice to anyone who is becoming a carer or are at the early stages of it is to look into the condition and the charities and services linked to the illness. There are organisations who can help you with your rights and point you in the right direction with a few things." For the latest health and Covid news, sign up to our newsletter here
He added: "I'm the type of person who doesn't like to ask for help for anything, but these organisations can lighten the load and help in certain ways. Don't be frightened to reach out and you'll be surprised by the amount of help people are willing to give you."
Stressing the importance of seeking help, he said: "There is support out there for and it's really important that you look into what you're eligible to receive because it can ease the pressure in many ways. I've had vouchers for my food shop while our water rates have been capped due to Rachel needing to use a lot of water for her treatment. Every bit helps."
Some resources for carers: