Story
The University College London Hospital (UCLH) Critical Care team provided our beloved Dad with the upmost care, dedication and compassion during the last days of his life. For this, we would like to give something back to the hospital as a thanks to the staff and to help other families and patients during the most critical times of their lives.
Our Dad's death has come as a shock to many. Only five weeks ago our Dad was on holiday in Dubai with our Mum, we did not suspect anything was wrong. On Sunday 21 July he was admitted into Lister hospital after being taken to A&E with breathing difficulties. After many CT scans, blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy, he was formally diagnosed on Thursday 30 July with High Grade Non-Hodgkin Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. Within just two days of the diagnosis there was a rapid decline in his health and on Saturday 3 August he was transferred into Critical Care at Lister Hospital where he spent this time in an induced coma. Lister Hospital advised us that our Dad's only chance of survival would be a transfer to University College London Hospital's Critical Care unit due to their speciality in blood cancer treatment.
On Sunday 4 August our Dad was blue lighted from Lister hospital to UCLH’s Critical Care unit where the team fought tirelessly to save our Dad. What was clear to see at this hospital was not only the team work but the passion, dedication and compassion every staff member had for their job. Our Dad was treated with dignity and respect and family and friends were treated compassionately whilst receiving ongoing factual information of his progress. Unfortunately, our Dad was unable to be saved and passed away peacefully at 3.15am on 6 August 2019.
During the short time at UCLH, we were surrounded by other families who were going through their own turmoil with loved ones also in the Critical Care unit. It became clear to see, that the staff who work on this unit are a credit to not only the NHS but to humanity and as such we would like to give something back.
Our Dad's funeral will be held at 1pm on Friday 30 August 2019 at Woollensbrook Crematorium in Hoddesdon. We ask that should you like to make a contribution please donate to this Just Giving page as flower donations will be made only by family.
Thank you,
Claire-Louise and Sarah-Jayne