Vicky’s Story

In summer 2024, Vicky was admitted to St Gemma’s Hospice through our Inclusion Team. A year later she told us about her experience, and we’re grateful to Vicky for sharing her story with honesty, strength and humour.

“A year ago I was weeks from death and my life was in chaos. I’d been drinking heavily, had liver cirrhosis, had experienced domestic violence and was living in supported accommodation for alcohol-dependent women. My life felt over – I’d lost all hope.

But when I arrived at St Gemma’s everything changed. The staff were incredible. They managed my symptoms, helped me feel safe and comfortable, and slowly I began to feel better. They gave me the care I didn’t even know I needed – they literally gave me my life back.

I started to feel better, thanks to that amazing team – and the homemade soup! It was gorgeous, full of goodness, and I had it every day. It made me feel human again.

At the beginning of the year I stopped drinking alcohol and with support from St Gemma’s and BARCA Leeds, I was able to move into my own flat. My family helped me decorate, put up pictures and laid fresh grass on the lawn. It’s my sanctuary now and it has been a long time since I’ve had a place to call home.

Now I come to the Hospice for Out-Patient support. I have relaxing massages which make me feel like myself again. My St Gemma’s nurse Katie visits me regularly to manage my symptoms and see how I am, and the therapy team make sure I’ve got everything I need at home.

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Debs, the social worker, has been amazing. She helped me write letters to my children – that was emotional. I sang her the songs that make me feel close to them and she said ‘boy, you can sing!’ She helped me express things I hadn’t been able to say out loud before.

Debs asked Purple Heart Wishes charity to pay for fingerprint necklaces for each of my five children, I intend to leave them as a keepsake so they’ll always have a part of me and know that I think of them and love them.

The most important thing Debs has done for me, for which I can never repay her, is support me to reconnect with one of my children who was adopted at birth when I was struggling. Debs helped arrange a meeting with him and his adoptive mum. It was beautiful. I feel at peace now knowing he’s safe and happy.

St Gemma’s continues to support me and my mum; they care for the whole family. People don’t realise how much happens in a hospice. It’s not just end-of-life care. It astounds me that they have to fundraise to stay open. I went from having no hope to always having hope. I truly believe angels exist – and they’re at St Gemma’s.”

Thank you, Vicky. Your story shows the true heart of hospice care and the difference it can make.

Vicky was admitted into St Gemma’s Hospice shortly after this interview and she died peacefully surrounded by her family. Rest in peace, Vicky.