The wife of a former Weston Hospicecare patient has heaped praise onto Weston Hospicecare after the care given to her husband.
Shirley’s husband, Mick, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in November 2018.
He died peacefully at home in June 2019. He had received care from the hospice which helped relieve unbearable pain.
Shirley say “Weston Hospicecare is like a port in the storm. Somewhere to go and use as a refuge and the staff are amazing.
“The word ‘cancer’ is the scariest word ever but the hospice makes that word so much easier to live with.”
The hospice helped Shirley by supporting her to care for Mick at home, caring Mick at the hospice and through the community nursing provisions.
She continued “The hospice helped me get the hospital equipment I needed to care for Mick at home.
“They liaised with our doctor to make sure we had the right medications and were on call day and night for me.
“They knew when I was tired and found a bed in the hospice for Mick so I could rest.”
Shirley also recognises how crucial the hospice’s community nurse specialist provision is.
Lucy Green, a Community Nurse Specialist for Weston Hospicecare, cared for Mick during his illness.
Shirley says “Lucy came round to our house and explained what the tumour was.
“She said we would both be scared and angry but that these emotions were normal and we were allowed to scream and shout if it made us feel better.
“She explained what symptoms Mick would have and what we may come up against. Also she said there were people at the hospice who we could talk to if we wanted to do so. Overall, the hospice were wonderful.”
Weston Hospicecare cares for 2,000 people, like Mick, every year in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset and Sedgemoor areas.
The charity relies heavily on its supporters to help fund 80% of the costs of providing palliative care services each year.
To support your hospice by making a donation, click here.