Where to start?.....

Mike and I were married for 22 years, we thought we would grow old and grumpy together. Life had a different path...... unfortunately. Mike was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, all treatments failed, the pandemic put a halt to clinical trials. We did and tried everything we could. 

Mike started to deteriorate early 2021 and was hospitalised, we were unable to be with him due to covid regulations and that was one of the hardest things to be told, not being able to be with him. I was informed by a phone call that Mike would not survive this admission in February 2021. 

This is the point that St Margaret's Hospice were there for us as a family. They arranged admission and we were able to be together again, even our pets could visit. The medical and nursing support enabled Mike to become more stable and come home on 1st March. We were able to make even more memory's and importantly be there for Mike in his last days, being cared for by his family with the help of the community team of St Margaret's, the local GP's and District nursing service. 

I know the amazing work that St Margaret's Hospice do first hand as I also have worked there as a staff nurse over the past 10 years. It has been there for me all the way from bereavement care and counselling to getting myself back to work, supporting me. My colleagues especially on the inpatient unit have been the best, I could not have done this without you all. 

Both of our sons Sam and George have taken part in fundraising activities to raise money for St Margaret's over the nearly 2 years since Mike's death and so it is my turn to do something......this Trek is completely out of my comfort zone, not only the amount of walking and some altitude issues but also in a country I have never been to. This is most definitely a challenge and I could only do it with my friend Anne, who has been one of my greatest support through my grief journey. 

Thank you for reading my story, please give as little or as much as you can so the work of St Margaret's Hospice can continue for others who need their support like I did. Thank you x