“I came to the hospice last year for help managing my symptoms.  I have a facial tumour brought on by skin cancer which causes me to suffer with headaches and effects my eyesight.

I first noticed the mole on my nose but I never went to the doctors about it until it was too late.  Every day can be different for me with this tumour.  Some days I am tired, other days I can feel OK but regardless, thanks to the Hospice I finally feel like I am living again.

When I first heard about going to the Hospice I was a bit unsure but I knew I needed help, and I would have got bored just sitting at home all day.

When I was still living at home I would visit the Day Hospice and Social Day’s but as things have become a bit too much for me I have moved into the Long Term Unit full time.

I was looking around one day with one of the Dr’s and when I saw Room 13 I said “that’s the one for me”.  It has a lovely large window and the light floods in.  It is quite a busy room because it is close the to the Bistro doors but I love hearing everyone coming and going, I can see all the nursing staff and I feel like I am in a home from home.

I try and do a bit of gardening with my sister in law when she visits.  In fact I see more of my family now than I did before.  They can visit anytime, day or night, which is much better for them.  My niece often comes in with her 2 sons and we play on the Nintendo Switch together.

I get on really well with the staff because they have supported me for such a long time now.  I wouldn’t have managed at home with all of my medications and so on.  I am properly looked after here.”

“As my eyesight has deteriorated it has become harder for me to do some of the everyday things we take for granted. I am really grateful to the couple who donated an Amazon Echo for me. I can ask it simple things, like what’s the time or what the weather’s like. I also listen to music a lot and use it as a speaker to listen to some of the audio books the Doctor here downloaded for me.”

“It is strange to think that lots of people don’t really know what the Hospice is about or how they can help.  I hope that by sharing my experience I can help just one person feel a little less apprehensive about the word ‘hospice’.”