The medical care Lisa received throughout her illness was excellent, but it was all the little extra things which made the difference at St Gemma’s.
Patients
Lisa’s Story
My name is Kath, and I want to share my family’s story with you.
My niece, Lisa, spent much of her life caring for others and putting them first. She was a very special person and was greatly loved by the whole family. Lisa passed away at the Hospice earlier this year, and I want to share her story – to support St Gemma’s, and to shine a light on my precious niece.
Lisa was a very talented crafter. If anyone wanted anything making, Lisa would make it. She knitted cardigans, baby clothes, Christmas decorations, toys, anything. And every Christmas, she’d make decorations to sell for St Gemma’s to fundraise for them. She was a dedicated supporter but never thought that one day she would need their care herself.
When Lisa received her terminal diagnosis at just 53 years old, her words were, ‘I want to be at St Gemma’s at the end’.
Lisa’s grandma and grandad had both been cared for at St Gemma’s; our dad in the nineties and our mum died here in 2013. Lisa remembered the care her grandma received, and she didn’t want to be anywhere else. She knew St Gemma’s was the place for her.
When Lisa became ill, she worried constantly about her mum and dad. She was caring for them at the time, and I think she started to feel like a burden. When she was at home, everything had to be taken upstairs: drinks, meals, everything. So when we got to the Hospice, you could see the weight lift from her. She knew her parents were ok, that St Gemma’s would look after her own care needs, and we could all focus on spending precious time together as a family. I think it was the biggest relief to get to St Gemma’s. Even when she was so poorly, she was still thinking about everybody else. That was just Lisa.
People sitting with her, the catering staff encouraging her to ‘try a little bit more’ and helping her to hold a spoon when she couldn’t manage herself. They just made time at St Gemma’s. When Lisa couldn’t hold her phone properly because her hands were shaking, somebody would pick it up for her. It was all these little acts of kindness that made such a difference to the care Lisa received and to our experience as a family.
Lisa was at St Gemma’s for 12 weeks – the first few weeks were filled with the loveliest of memories. Lisa and her friends had an afternoon tea tradition, and they asked if they could bring in some cake. When they arrived, the St Gemma’s team had already set up the table and a cake stand and had laid it out beautifully. They all sat together and had afternoon tea.
Everybody cared. The nurses, the catering staff, the cleaners – they all cared.
The Hospice gardens were Lisa’s happy place. She loved being in nature. It completely relaxed her. Whenever the sun shone, staff would push her bed outside into the fresh air and we would all gather round to enjoy it. Lisa even potted up some plants during her time at St Gemma’s, and we have those plants in the garden at home now. A living memory.
As Lisa’s illness progressed, the medical team were incredible. Every step was explained so clearly, and they made sure her pain was fully controlled. She spent her final weeks enjoying hand and foot massages from the therapy team. The care extended beyond medicine, it was everything. The Bistro became our second home in the last few days, keeping us fed and watered, and even emotionally supported.
In those final days, Lisa was surrounded by her family. She had the chance to see everyone she wanted to see, and we were all able to say our goodbyes. Lisa was an incredibly organised person, and she had already planned her fundraising legacy – she donated her treasured Charlie Bears and raised an incredible £2,000 for future patient care. As a family, we honour her memory by regularly donating to St Gemma’s and volunteering.
Lisa had a heart of gold, that’s how so many people described her. When we announced her funeral, the messages from people were absolutely lovely. We were blown away. She was incredibly family orientated and was always around for her cousins children, her sister and her nephew. She got to hold her first great-nephew at the Hospice in the weeks before she died. She will be so dearly missed.
From the bottom of our hearts, Sue and Mick (Lisa’s mum and dad) and I (Kath, Lisa’s auntie) will be forever grateful for what the Hospice did for Lisa, and for our family.
This year, a light will shine on the St Gemma’s trees in celebration of our wonderful Lisa. Like you, we’re proud to support our Hospice in memory of our loved ones and hope you will join us as we remember and celebrate their lives. I know our support means a lot to St Gemma’s, and any donations will help care for families like ours. Thank you.
If you would like to dedicate your own light in memory of a loved one, you can do here by clicking below.