For dedicated supporter Jeannette Flanagan the care provided by Birmingham Hospice has been an important constant in her life.
Over two decades she has been deeply touched by the compassion, expertise and empathy of our amazing Inpatient Unit (IPU) Team, who have ensured friends and family have received the dignity they deserve at the end of their lives.
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Her first hospice experience was in 2005 when her beloved mother, June, died of cancer. The family had looked after June at home and Jeannette was contacted by our Wellbeing Team about bereavement counselling, which helped her come to terms with the loss.
Jeannette’s father Tony was an enthusiastic walker with a wonderful sense of humour who had trekked through Peru and the Grand Canyon. When he was told by doctors that his oesophageal cancer could no longer be treated in 2012, he did two things: he requested a party where he could say goodbye and made plans to ensure his final days would be in our IPU to guarantee his loved ones had the support they needed.
She said: “We knew Dad was happy to come into the hospice when the end was near.
“We’d nursed Mom through cancer and managed to keep her at home, but Dad knew what was going to happen. We knew he would be looked after and we took comfort in that.”
When Tony was admitted to IPU he and the family were made to feel comfortable and at ease. Despite being frail, Tony was always keen to share a joke with everyone caring for him.
After five days, he died peacefully with those who meant the most around him.
“I can’t say enough about the hospice staff, they’re just brilliant,” commented Jeannette.
“In terms of the care they did everything they needed but also allowed the family space to have our time with him.
“They even played along with Dad’s jokes. His condition meant one of his eyes kept closing and he kept saying to the staff ‘oh look, I’m having a wink at you’ and they all just played along and had a little laugh with him, which was nice.”
Separately, father-in-law Gerry Flanagan and friend Kathy were also cared for by IPU with both families receiving the same compassion.
Meanwhile, Jeannette recalled how close friend Jo, who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer, and her family were supported in December 2018. The family put up festive decorations and a tree in her room and were also able to have Christmas dinner with her.
She said: “The hospice has always been really empathetic, comforting and understanding.
“When Jo was in IPU the family was allowed to bring their dog up to see her. They also arranged for her family to have a Christmas meal together in her room, which was lovely.
“It didn’t matter when we would visit, we were always made to feel welcome.”
Inspired by the care, Jeannette has raised vital funds for the hospice. To mark the 20th anniversary of the loss of her mom, she and four friends went on a sponsored walk through Sutton Park.
As part of the route, they made a pilgrimage to the special bench dedicated to her parents and raised a fantastic £940 for the hospice.
She added: “It was lovely getting friends together, having a walk and just remembering loved ones who have passed. People are quite generous when you start asking them.
“Even though I am not very technical I was able to set up a JustGiving Page, which made it easy for friends and family who wanted to donate.
“The hospice needs funding so if anyone is thinking of raising money I would say just do it!”
