Michael’s story
Michael from Bayston Hill attends our Day Hospice in Shrewsbury, below he tells us about his experience of Severn Hospice.
To introduce myself, I am married, have two children and following a career in the Royal Air Force and then as a Senior Local Government Officer retired to the wonderful Shropshire countryside.
After ten years this wonderful life was curtailed by illness which required our relocation to Bayston Hill to take advantage of the excellent communications, shopping and hospital facilities on our doorstep. In 2009 cancer was pronounced, but at that time just the removal of a kidney was indicated. However the aggressive nature of the beast caused it to spread to both my lungs and liver.
As so many patients know, the fear and terminal prognosis drops you to a new low. At the same time my wonderful wife and children shared the burden and all future plans disappeared. A very low time indeed.
I am not religious and at no time was any form of salvation expected. However help and encouragement was readily available from my doctors, district nurses and a referral to a Macmillan Nurse. These together accessed my condition and Mena (Macmillan Nurse) suggested that I could be referred to the Severn Hospice, Bicton Heath as a Day Patient. I like so many others in this predicament thought the words ‘terminal’ and ‘Hospice’ to be a sentence, the final nail in the coffin.
How wrong can one be.
I was comfortably transported to the Severn Hospice and arrived with just more than trepidation for this first visit.
What I found was a misnamed ‘Hospice’ in its modern context, to me it very soon became a haven. A comfortable family orientated gathering of friends which consisted not only of other ‘patients’ but also the wonderful staff and generous volunteers who embrace you for what you are without exception. For over five hours each Tuesday my family can relax and have relief from the hard and difficult care they give to me and can resume a little of a normal life knowing I am in the most wonderful caring hands.
Many activities are provided for us guests from personnel care to craft subjects and any latent skills you might discover are encouraged by professional skilled patient friends. I found my talent is to varnish pigs bums, much laughter is heard.
At the Severn ‘Haven’ your independence is secure and time for quiet contemplation and reflection is respected.
I shall not forget all the large and small treats that include the drinks trolley that appears, to the wonderful meals provided. You are never alone, patients (friends) and the most caring staff are always available.
To summarise this epistle is to say that this wonderful, self financing oasis of unselfishness is available in this hectic world to provide such wonderful service to those in need. Not only have I been introduced to a true treasure but have also found caring love and a wonderful sanctuary.
