Sean was diagnosed with terminal oesophageal cancer on April 24th and given a prognosis of a year.

The disease progressed much faster than expected with added complications and multiple emergency visits to hospital. Managing his pain was a major challenge and we knew the North Devon Hospice team to be the experts in this field.

Hearing that he had a bed was the best news. The level of tailored care was exceptional - symptoms closely monitored, medication levels tweaked, quick response to his needs, experienced staff taking time to get to know him.

Sean felt safe and comfortable in the hospice environment and we had complete trust in the team.

I’d been his partner for 20 years but became his wife during this stay! We had booked a South Devon ceremony for July 3rd but when that date seemed out of reach the hospice helped to organise an express wedding in just 48 hours, complete with a high tea, wedding cake and beautiful flowers handpicked from the garden! Just magical!

Sean died on Wednesday June 19th, just a week after our wedding and only 8 weeks from diagnosis.

Had he still been stuck in hospital his end of life experience would have been a world apart from the loving, comfortable ten days that he spent in North Devon Hospice. I was able to sleep close to him every night and be right by his side, with his children when he took his last breath.

I’ll never forget the positive impact that the organisation, the people, the beautiful gardens and Doctor Hayley’s dog Heidi had on all of us.

Eternally grateful.

We miss him so much.

Sean Macauley

13.7.67 - 19.6.2024