On 20th March 2014, my amazing Dad (Brian Snail) passed on to the next life at only 62 years of age.     

Since then we've been on an emotional roller coaster, coming to terms with losing Dad after he had been diagnosed with a late stage aggressive renal cancer less than a year earlier is tough. Some days are good, some days are bad, I miss him more than I could ever imagine being able to miss someone and I know my mum misses him so much more again.   

Sobell House supported Dad as an outpatient initially providing emotional and practical advice and support to him and mum and, he spent his last 4 nights in the beautiful Sobell House.  Most of this time is a blur but what I do know is that, the last few days of my Dad's life were better for being there.  The reasons? 

• they have a wonderful team serving 3 course-meals throughout the day - much to my Dad's delight this included large pieces of chocolate cake and ice-cream! 
  
• the nurses and assistants spent time getting to know Dad and treated him with dignity and respect as well as having a few giggles along the way 
• volunteers come round with a drinks trolley (patients only!) 
• there are private bedrooms - suitable for 'crew room' style get together's with family - we were even able to bring in our own wine and nibbles to toast a number of birthdays and mum and Dad's 41st anniversary.  
• family and friends are welcome and there are no visiting hours (which is a good job as there were lots of us there!) 
• volunteers offer a range of services including foot massage (in typical Dad style he found someone that had lived in a far flung area of the world at the same time as him!) 

My Dad loved life, he made the most of every second he had right up to the last minute and he would've stayed if he could have!