“Claire was my partner for forty-three years. She was wonderful: loyal, loving and caring. Lots of people remember her laughter and sense of fun.
Claire was first diagnosed with cancer in 2016. She had six cycles of chemotherapy and after five years was signed off as being in remission. But within a year, the cancer came back. Things went downhill rapidly in 2024. Finally, the hospital said, ‘It’s palliative care now.’ That is when our interaction with the Hospice commenced.
When Claire came to the Hospice it was like a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. Everything was peaceful, calm and relaxed. The regime in hospital was quite brutal, bright lights everywhere and lots of noise. It was just wonderful that she was able to come to the Hospice, feel peaceful, and be cared for by such fantastic staff.
Although we’d lived together for forty-three years, Claire and I had never married. But with the help of our local vicar and the Hospice team, we married in the Hospice Sanctuary. The team arranged the room for us and made a cake. Our siblings travelled in and the nurses did Claire’s makeup. Claire came into the Sanctuary in a wheelchair, and she looked absolutely amazing. It was the last real bit of happiness she had. It’s hopefully a very happy memory that she took with her just four days later.
My experience at the Hospice wasn’t just about the care – we were shown genuine love and that meant so much. The clinical team couldn’t have been kinder. They were sympathetic, empathetic, just amazing. They really were there for us as well as for Claire. I’m just incredibly thankful she was here, where she was so brilliantly cared for.
We chose to dedicate a dove to Claire on the Memory Tree in the Sanctuary. When I come back here, it does feel quite special. I’ve got a lovely warm feeling seeing it and it means a lot.”
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