A year ago my brother Frank was diagnosed with lymph cancer in his leg. He had an operation to remove the cancer and was told it had been a success, and that he only had to attend regular check-ups. Then sadly this year on the 24th of March, we were told the cancer had returned to his back and his lungs… this was a major shock to say the least.
He went downhill very quickly and remained in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for 3 weeks where family stayed constantly by his side day and night, he was never left alone. It came to the point where he was asked continually “can we get you into a hospice?” and he was adamant he didn’t want to go. However, with a lot of persuasion and a lot of tears he accepted that he would get the best care that he deserved in a hospice and a place became available which we took.
He was transferred to Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice on the 11th of April where he spent a few days in a private room and then transferred to “the family room” which was absolutely out of this world, everything was provided for us whilst staying there and was spotless and very homely.
My brother received the BEST treatment at Birmingham St Mary’s possible and the family was shown so much compassion it was unreal. The staff are ALL fantastic at what they do, it really is a beautiful place for such sad times (if that makes sense).
Sadly after being there in the family room for a few days my brother left us heartbroken on the 14th of April 2016. We cannot as a family thank the Hospice enough for all their fabulous care and compassion.
Therefore my son Martin has decided to do a skydive on Saturday 20th of August, 4 days before what would have been his uncle’s birthday. Not only to prove Frank wrong because he had always said “Martin would never jump out of a plane” but he has also raised over £1000 for Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice ? which they more than deserve to carry on looking after their patients, so from the bottom of our hearts “THANK YOU SO MUCH” xx
We’d like to say a big thank you to Trish for sharing her story and for showing how Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice provides care. If you’ve been inspired by Trish and would like to share your story, please email our Digital Officer Rich at richard.lam@birminghamhospice.org.uk, or if you’d like to fundraise to support local families living with terminal illness, visit our fundraising section!
