Birmingham Hospice’s dedicated care and support extends to loved ones and family as well as our patients.
Terry from Shard End says he’ll always be grateful for the kindness and compassion the team has shown him and the family while his wife Linda, who he calls Twiggy or Twig, is receiving care in the hospice’s Inpatient Unit (IPU).
Linda was diagnosed with lung cancer and emphysema just over two years ago after falling ill suddenly on New Year’s Eve. For much of that time, she’s been able to remain independent with Community District Nurses visiting regularly. But a fortnight ago she became very poorly and is now being made as comfortable as possible in the IPU.
Her husband Terry has been able to stay by Linda’s side almost every night.
“The nurses have all been fantastic and have bent over backwards to help us especially when I’ve stayed over. They brought me a bed and are feeding me. The chef said to me: ‘What about dinner? Not for Linda, for you.’
“We didn’t know anything about hospices, we never had to use one. Everyone is very, very nice. Once or twice I’ve got quite upset and they’ve been very understanding.
“There’s 46 of us in our family altogether including sons, daughters, grand-children and great grand-children and we can visit any time of day or night.”
Terry and Linda have been married for many years after meeting on a blind date and it’s important to Terry that Linda’s being looked after so well at such a difficult time.
“I’m just glad Twiggy is in a hospice and not a hospital. They’ve been really good at keeping her comfortable. She’s not in pain. And all the staff have got lots of time for us.”
