Cheryl Doyle
Marie curie Solihull Vietnam 2016
Fundraising for Marie Curie
Story
Thanks for taking the time to view my page. I am doing a Vietnam Trek in March 2016, along with my friend Dominic Hull , this is in memory of my brother-in-law, John Hiley who was under the care of Marie Curie during his diagnosis of Stage 4 bowel cancer. John had emergency surgery on 1 October 2011 to remove a tumour which was blocking his bowel and a CT scan showed it had spread to his liver and was diagnosed in January 2012 with Stage 4 bowel cancer and given 12-18 months with chemotherapy and less than 12 months without treatment, at this time he was only 47 years old. He attended the day centre at the original Marie Curie on the Warwick Road, where he received reflexology, carried out arts and crafts which most of these activities were run by volunteers.
It was in December 2012 where a lot of complications arose, through the Macmillan Team and GP was referred to the new Marie Curie in Marsh Lane, Solihull. In January 2013 John was admitted, he was one of the first patients to experience the new facilities. It was overwhelming with all the support that was given to my brother-in-law, my sister and two nephews. After a short stay returned home and was cared at home by my sister, Tracey, Tom and George their sons, along with the District Nurses, GP, MacMillan Nurses and carers. The day before John's 49th birthday was admitted once again reluctantly as it was his birthday, but did not want to miss out on a bed at Marie Curie. He came home again briefly and once again was admitted after more complications with a fistula wound caused from the surgery and due to losing blood was admitted again for emergency transfusion.
John and my sister, were faced with the worst choices, he could wait until the next morning for an emergency blood transfusion or go to hospital and have it done, this meant a risk and was told to prepare for the worst. They decided to wait until the next morning as it was too risky to travel, as he was so poorly, our family and friends were gathered around as we were told he might not make it through the night. Marie Curie made up beds for my sister and nephews to stop in the same room as John, so they could spend every precious moment with him. I came to Marie Curie every day and sometimes my nephew stopped with me and my daughter, Evie. My sister stopped at Marie Curie for over a month as John was so poorly, he was put on the Liverpool Care Pathway and did not eat for a week, then suddenly bounced back. He was desperate to go home, but the Doctors said he was not able to travel as it was too much of a risk.
Together with the Continuing Health Care Nurses and Marie Curie managed to arrange John to go home one evening and have a Chinese Curry and evening with the family, this involved an ambulance and qualified staff, the night was successful.
Throughout John's care and stay got to meet "Prince Charles" and "The Saturdays" as the official opening, the staff arranged for my nephews to meet The Saturdays and had a special discussion with "Prince Charles'".
John repeatedly questioned why he couldn't go home, Marie Curie again arranged for a visit home again, they had to order a bed for a few hours, an ambulance so he could enjoy one last day at home with his family. It was a successful and very emotional day thanks to Marie Curie.
After 22 months from diagnosis John was in and out of Marie Curie from January 2013 and passed away on the 5 August 2013. Myself and my family are so grateful to Marie Curie as they definitely gave my brother-in-law John more time to spend the family and friends, many precious moments. John, Tom, George and Tracey celebrated their birthdays whilst John was in Marie Curie and celebrated their 22nd Wedding Anniversary.
I have lost 3 beautiful aunties and friends from this cruel disease and will be doing this trek in remembrance of those as well.
Marie Curie rely totally on fundraising and donations to enable them to provide the specialist care to patients, so without the public support and donations could not carry out their outstanding work, along with volunteers and dedicated staff. Unfortunately, everyone at some point in their life will know someone or be affected by cancer, some people are understandably scared when you mention Marie Curie, but they offer so many other services not just end of life, respite for carers, helping get the right medication, day centre, alternative therapies, counselling and so on.
I would like to thank you Marie Curie for the opportunity in enabling me to carry out this challenge and look forward to the journey and giving something back to help other patients and families to continue their amazing work.
Cheryl x