On 26th January we had to say goodbye to my wonderful dad. 

He was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy in 2017 and over the last three years his condition had deteriorated. Sadly on Christmas Eve he was admitted to hospital with a aspiration pneumonia. what followed was a a very difficult two weeks with the medical team doing all they could to get on top of the infection. Unfortunately they were unable to do so as he continues to aspirate - so the decision was made to stop active treatment and move to end of life care. 

My dads only wish had been to die at home - the hospital were very dismissive of this and really wouldn't entertain the idea. Our GP suggested hospice as they would be more willing to work towards granting this wish. So the wheels were put in motion and on 10th January dad was moved to the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. From the minute we arrived they were incredible - nothing was too much for them and they really listened and cared for dad and his wishes. 

Dad's communication was extremely limited by this stage - we were communicating with hand squeezes which fatigued quickly through the day. However, one thing was quickly apparent to the consultant and staff - dad desperately wanted to be at home for his final days.

The team stopped at nothing and we managed it! 2 weeks to the day that he went to Phyllis Tuckwell we got dad home, in to his own bed. 

We were supported by the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice at home service and our district nurses - dad was comfortable and more relaxed. 

We spent the next day celebrating Isaacs's 4th birthday at home, sitting chatting with dad, watching TV and returning to something more 'normal'. 

The Phyllis Tuckwell were kind enough to send us a night sitter for the Saturday night - enabling us to have a bit more unbroken sleep. Sadly dad started to deteriorate overnight and we were up by his side, but having someone there to chat to and share the care was invaluable and meant that we never felt alone. 

She left at 7am and we spent the next 55 minutes sitting with dad, making sure he was comfortable and knew how loved he was. He left us at 7:55. Those moments felt endless - our world was changed. 

The ladies from Hospice from Home turned up shortly after for the planned visit and their kindness and thoughtfulness was unexplainable. We were not alone. 

Phyllis Tuckwell is the only Hospice Care service for adult patients, and their families, living with cancer or another terminal illness (such as heart, lung or neurological disease) across the whole of West Surrey and part of North East Hampshire.

It only receives 20% funding from the government/NHS. They desperately need donations to continue their exceptional work. 

Their mission is to care compassionately for adults living with an advanced or terminal illness, and those closest to them, so that they have the best possible quality of life and the patients’ final days are peaceful. 

Phyllis Tuckwell needs around £25,000 a day to keep running its invaluable services - I would love to to be able to help contribute to much needed funds.