On 18th January 2020 I've decided to do a charity head shave. Remembering the morning my lovely Mum passed away after a long 9 year battle with breast cancer 2013.  And being absolutely so immensely grateful for the support Mum received from her local hospices. Right from the start, in Day Therapy in Bedford Hospice where she made friends, got clinical support and advice, enjoyed a lovely meal and enjoyed a massage and craft activities.  Then later on being an inpatient at Letchworth Garden House Hospice for symptom management, on a few occasions.  And, also for respite Christmas 2011, when we lost Cassy, my niece, (we all even having Christmas Day Diner there together) and then again, admitted for her final week.  Gosh the relief that a bed had become available, so that she could leave hospital!  Hospital, where she had to ring her sister in Worcestershire, to call the Ward, to beg for the commode.  Hospital is no place for the terminally poorly, in our experience. I'll never forget the feeling of relief Mum showed (it was so visible).  She seemed to completely relax, knowing she'd be in safe hands. We were all so relieved!!  She'd now get excellent compassion care!. It was a beautiful place.  We knew she was in such safe hands there.  She was even able to enjoy a soak in their hydro bath!  And how beautiful she looked the morning she died. So peaceful with a pretty rose placed on her pillow by the hospice nurses.  

Mum was diagnosed in 2004 age 55. And passed away 2013 aged, just 65. Initially having a mastectomy. They discovered cancer had spread to lymph nodes. She was set for a course of 6 chemotherapy but she only managed 3, as blood clots were then discovered. She lost a lot of her hair and eventually I went with her to have it all chopped really short and to have a wig styled for her (actually she hardly used the wig, as it itched so much).  She opted for a head scarf or hats mostly.  She eventually went into remission, but was in pain still and it got worse and worse. Such agony that she couldn't sit for long or climb the stairs. She actually broke her leg at around this time too. She practically begged her GP, on numerous occasions to please send her for future tests, she knew exactly what test she needed, but he kept refusing her, saying it was arthritis and to take paracetamol. Eventually, the GP gave in, because of her persistent requests, but he made sure she knew it was a waste of time and money!!! He was convinced it was NOT cancer.  But! Cancer had spread right through her bones, from her feet to her skull. Her oncologist, at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage, was so lovely and all the nurses in the chemo suite etc... She was put on a trial of something called 'Zometa' (an infusion to help her bone strength and pain). This worked brilliantly. But not forever and it was never a cure but helped so much with pain. Various times she had radiotherapy but it was all palliative. Eventually it spread to organs....... she got weaker and weaker.....💜

The amazing support and friendships she formed at her hospice was fantastic. I can't imagine how she'd have managed without them all. 

I'm raising money for Nottinghamshire Hospice for whom I have the honour of working for now.  Nottinghamshire Hospice provide Hospice @ Home Care throughout the whole of Nottinghamshire and Day Therapy in Nottingham. I meet so many amazing families caring tirelessly for their loved ones and it's always a privilege to help them to care for their loved ones and to give them a much needed break. 

So I'll wear a purple turban or scarf or hat! As Purple is our colour at Nottinghamshire Hospice 💜  PLEASE HELP ME RAISE SOME FUNDS FOR THIS VITAL SERVICE. X