Seeing people in their own environment helps them overcome anxiety they may have about going to a hospice. It gives them confidence because they know they’ll see a familiar face there.
Before her diagnosis, Bobbie was a carer working in social work at the former Meanwood Park Hospital, and worked up until 2021.
At that time, when the country was in a Covid-19 lockdown, Bobbie felt unwell. She has lived with asthma and diabetes her whole life, so has known health issues, but this felt different. It was hard for her to get an appointment with a GP, but after a night when she couldn’t sleep because of the pain in her tummy and chest, her son took her to St James’ Hospital. After three days of tests, she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Her diagnosis was given on Christmas Eve.
For the following six months Bobbie lived in Milton Keynes with her daughter and underwent chemotherapy.
Bobbie received a further set back in 2022 when she was admitted to intensive care with sepsis. At one point, Bobbie’s family were even called to her bedside, but she rallied and was eventually able to return home with visits from carers five times a day. Home is important to Bobbie and she just wanted to be in her own place.
The ICU doctors referred Bobbie to St Gemma’s Hospice, and we met Bobbie in autumn of 2022 when our community nurse Eileen visited Bobbie for the first time. She helped Bobbie with post-treatment symptom control because she “just wasn’t eating”. As her health stabilised, Eileen identified that Bobbie could benefit from physiotherapy and occupational therapy and referred her to those services at St Gemma’s, which she attended as an outpatient. As a follow-up to a complementary therapy session, a spray needed taking to Bobbie for her sore mouth and Tracy, our Palliative Care Support Worker, offered to take it to her home. She talked to Bobbie about group activities taking place at the Hospice and invited her to attend. Tracy told us,
Tracy arranged for Bobbie to be collected from her home by one of the St Gemma’s volunteer drivers and she started attending small fitness and wellbeing classes including Tai Chi and Zumba. That was 18 months ago, and since then Bobbie has been attending most weeks!
I don’t want to stop coming here – it’s like a second home.
When she is at the Hospice she likes to chat to fellow patient, Iqbal, and makes sure to have a cuppa and a catch up with Tracy who can monitor her wellbeing, give her advice and refer or signpost her to other services if needed. Right now, Bobbie is struggling with a painful shoulder which she attributes in part to all the drips she has had to endure. She is having acupuncture from the complementary therapies team at the Hospice and while it’s too early to notice a difference yet, she remains hopeful.
Bobbie describes St Gemma’s as “the best care you can get” and she wants to say thank you to the Hospice supporters for giving her help when she needed it.
Bobbie told us, “When you are diagnosed you ask ‘Why? Why me?’ but I’m blessed – I’m here with my family, my children and my grandchildren. I haven’t yet got to where I want to be, but with help and encouragement from [St Gemma’s] I will.” The support and quality of care from the St Gemma’s team extends to the families of loved ones going through this journey. For Bobbie this has been invaluable.
St Gemma’s has provided immeasurable support to my family and me, for which we are all indebted.
Bobbie has defied doctors’ expectations on her journey and has visited St Gemma’s as an outpatient for nearly two years now. Bobbie says of her care,
I am enjoying the best days with those that have helped me so much. Working in social services myself before the cancer, I am glad I can share my journey so the great work by St Gemma’s can continue.