Keith's Story

This page is in memory of my fantastic husband Keith who died on June 3rd 2010, after a brave battle against, Mesothelioma , a cancer caused by exposure to Asbestos.

In March 2010 we were appointed a Specialist home Care Nurse from The Hospice of St Francis. Val was fantastic, she listened, advised, organised pain relief and most importantly of all introduced us to Sharon Chadwick a Consultant Chest Specialist in Palliative care.

Once under Sharons care we were soon under The Hospice's supportive umbrella and we both benefitted from all it offers terminally ill patients and their families.

Keith was admitted to the inpatient Unit at St Francis on May 25th and we both stayed together for his last nine days. The care we both recieved at the Hospice was amazing. Keith's bedroom was surrounded by beautiful gardens with ducks waddling about on the patio which we could access through french doors.

Chris,The Chef and his team created fantastic food which keith managed to enjoy right to the end. All the staff were warm and caring from the cleaners and volunteers to the medical and support staff.

I feel privelidged that we were able to benefit from such an amazing place that enabled keith to end his life with dignity surrounded by his family and friends.

The Hospice of St Francis offers all of their services for free and only recieves very little from the government having to rely on peoples donations for 80% of their running costs. I want to raise as much money as I can along with my team ''Redkites & Bluebells'' made up of Keith's friends and family.

Here are some examples of how the money we raise can help the Hospice:

£25- pays for a whole day's supply of oxygen, Keith had 9 days    

£ 50- pays for a counselling session I have had 12 and they are ongoing

£150- pays to keep a Specialist home Care Nurse on the road we had ours for 12 weeks

£ 500- pays for an entire shift of nursing in the inpatient unit keith had 18 shifts

£ 1,000- pays for a syringe driver keith had two syringe drivers administering his medication

It doesn't make much to work out the cost of Keith's care and these are only a fraction of the things that we both benefitted from. I hope this gives you a little insight into what fantastic care the Hospice provides for terminally ill patients and their famillies and I am still benefitting from its services eight monthe after Keith died.

So please give generously and ask your friends too .

Thank you,

Hilly

       

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