In September 2016 our beloved Nan was diagnosed with lung cancer after an agonising wait of 8 weeks for tests to be completed and months of feeling ‘not quite right’ - We were told it was inoperable but she would start chemotherapy on the 1st November. After some weeks of treatment, catching a couple of infections in between and being admitted to hospital we finally had some good news that the tumour had shrunk by 50% just in time for Christmas. However, more infections followed, more visits to a&e and stays in hospital, more tests and in April 2017 we were devastated to be told the tumour had grown back to bigger than its original size. The oncologist decided it was best to stop all treatment and passed Nan onto the day hospice at St Luke’s. Nan was apprehensive but attended every Tuesday from May and as a result met some lovely people, had lovely lunches and kept her time occupied by making arts and crafts and having chats with the other day patients.

By the end of April Nan’s back and hips started to hurt, but it was put down to her rheumatoid arthritis. Months passed of her being in agony and at the beginning of August she was taken back into hospital with another infection - they decided whilst there to give her an MRI scan to make sure that her bad back wasn’t anything more sinister and heartbreakingly on the 7th August we were told her cancer had metastasised to both of her hips. Bless her, she barely complained and must of been in so much pain, but for anyone who knows our Nan this was her all over, stoic and always brave.

6 days after being told this news, Nan was back home and it was clear to see she had deteriorated so much in this short space of time. Nobody could believe the difference, it was shocking and frightening and I (Remi) was doubtful she’d see to the end of month.

On the 17th August after speaking to St Luke’s Hospice because it was getting so hard for us to care for her at home, they arranged for a Marie Curie nurse to come over on what would be her last night at home to help care for her and they also managed to get her a bed at St Luke’s Hospice for the next day. Throughout Nans whole illness she didn’t want to discuss end of life care, so we were unsure of what her final wishes would be and by this point she was very confused and tired, however we knew as a family for us to spend our final moments we wanted her as comfortable as possible, which she wasn’t at home and we wanted to ensure she was able to get the best medical care so that she was out of pain. As well as this these final moments were the most precious, so to be able to have the pressure of caring for her taken off of us was the biggest blessing in one of the worse situations.

St Luke’s Hospice and the nurses/staff there can only be described as living angels. There were 19 of us family members there over the two days Nan was at the Hospice and they not only cared for Nan but us too. From cups of tea, to cuddles when we needed them, they go above and beyond. Not only that but you can stay overnight meaning you don’t have to leave your loved ones alone at night.

On the 19th August the nurse informed us around 9pm that Nans breathing had changed and that we should phone those nearest and dearest to her. At 10.45pm Nan passed away surrounded by all her closest loved ones whilst we sang to her, held her hand, cuddled, kissed her goodbye. If it wasn’t for St Luke’s Hospice Nan wouldn’t have got the care she needed in her final days and we may not have got those last precious moments with her. 

So if you’ve managed to get this far (which hopefully you have, we appreciate it’s quite a long post) Myself and Lily-Rose have decided it would be a great idea as two girls who can’t run a mile at the moment LOL to run the London Marathon to raise much needed funds for St Luke’s Hospice. Never in a million years did we ever think we’d be in a position where a family member would need such services, but like I say in the most awful of circumstances they made a bad situation better. 

Any donation big or small will be greatly received in memory of our beautiful Patsy Wood or if you can’t donate please share.

Thank you,

Remi and Lily

xxx