Lesley Hamilton
Lesley's page
Fundraising for Marie Curie
Story
Winston Edwards 27th April 1957 - 25th August 2009
Jordan Desert Challenge in Aid of the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead
Winston was diagnosed with bowel cancer shortly after his birthday in April of 2008. This was an immense shock to both of us as he was probably one of the healthiest and most active people that I have known. The most shocking thing about the diagnosis was that by the time cancer was diagnosed Winnie was stage 4 and terminal. His cancer had spread to a substantial part of his liver and was very advanced.
We determined to be positive and approach his cancer not as a death sentence but an opportunity to live one day at a time. Winnie's stoicism and quite fortitude was typical of his spirit. It was also this positive attitude and humour that kept us going through the dark months that followed.
Winnie had two cycles of chemotherapy that his body tolerated well which I feel was in part to his diet, positive attitude and complimentary therapies.
This worked successfully until the end of 2008. Unfortunately, Winston's body could no longer tolerate the original chemotherapy treatment and so he switched to another form of chemotherapy, this proved to be less successful and by the end of February Winston's condition was deteriorating and he continued to become weaker. By May Winston could no longer tolerate chemotherapy and decided to stop treatment.
In July our Macmillan nurse recommended that Winston access the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead and the facilities in terms of day care. Winnie went for an assessment in July and was monitored closely. His pain by August was proving difficult to manage as the cancer had spread to his bones and so he was admitted to the hospice for pain management. Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated very rapidly and he died within the week.
But, that week in the hospice had a profound impact on me. The care, love and attention that they showed Winston was so profound. The hospice provides the sort of care that cannot be duplicated in a hospital. They even allowed our dog to stay with Winston which may seem like a small thing but it allowed us to stay together. A bed was provided for me to sleep next to Winston and his last moments were passed with dignity and love.
The care did not stop with Winston and I have been supported with counselling by a wonderful counsellor who has given me the strength to carry on.
It is with this in mind that I wanted to give something back. The hospice has to raise half the funding to run its services itself. It is an invaluable resource which allows those families and patients to pass those last hours together without the stresses of day to day routines. It also provides invaluable support for the bereaved.
I like many others want in my own small way to raise money for the hospice so that they can continue their invaluable work. It is with this in mind that I will be trekking in Jordan to raise money for the hospice. I need to raise a minimum of £1,900. The trek will involve 6 hours a day of walking but it will be an appropriate way to mark Winston's life as it coincides with what would have been his birthday and I feel he would really approve.
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