“This Christmas will be another without my sister Caroline, but it warms my heart to know that we can still celebrate her remarkable life thanks to Light up a Life, where one of the symbolic lights on the Tree of Life will be shining brightly in memory of her.”
Suzanne Sheppard, originally from Grantham, lost her big sister Caroline in the summer of 2023, who she describes as a strong, independent and career-driven woman.
Caroline was the oldest of three sisters and ‘the boss’ of her entire family. She loved to spend time gardening and baking and was devoted to her husband and family.
Suzanne said: “My big sis particularly loved live music and enjoyed going to watch her favourite bands perform.”
For many years, Caroline experienced regular discomfort but after several tests, nothing was detected. Unfortunately further scans discovered tumours, and devastatingly, Caroline was diagnosed with terminal endometrial perinatal metastasis.
Suzanne continues: “Caroline’s cancer diagnosis turned our lives upside down. At the time she had only been married a couple of months.
“Initially she was treated with chemotherapy, followed by a hysterectomy with the hope of removing all the tumours. However, this was unsuccessful, and her treatment continued, with further chemotherapy and a number of clinical trials.”
At the very beginning of this journey, Caroline contacted St Barnabas, and both herself and her family began to benefit from their services.
Suzanne shares more about their experience: “Caroline had counselling sessions as well as Hospice at Home support. In particular, her nurse Majella was amazing and became a new strength for Caroline, and us, when times were tough.
“I was also able to receive counselling, which was amazing at providing me with a better outlook on some of the difficult questions I had.”
Sadly, even after further surgery, Caroline’s cancer spread to her lungs and liver.
Suzanne continues: “In June 2023, Caroline was admitted to the St Barnabas Inpatient Unit in Lincoln. I would describe it as a place of care with such a warm, homely vibe and a great cup of tea.
“The Hospice staff and volunteers were amazing. I remember one day when she was quite weak, a volunteer had her laughing, and it was so lovely to see. All the team got her smiling even when she was at her lowest. They treated her with so much dignity and respect.”
Unfortunately, Caroline’s condition didn’t improve and she died on Monday 3rd July, less than one week before her 51st birthday.
Suzanne said: “On the morning Caroline died, the Inpatient staff gave us the time and space we needed to be with her and gather our thoughts.
“They lit a candle for her and another lady who had passed, and I found such comfort from that alone. They looked after her in more ways than I could have ever imagined.”
This Christmas, St Barnabas Hospice invite you to dedicate a light on their Tree of Life and attend the Torchlight Procession on Tuesday 19th November.
“Our mother and I attended the Torchlight Procession last year, just before our first Christmas without Caroline. It was such a memorable event, and we found peace in sharing the experience with others who had lost a loved one.
“This Christmas, please join me in remembering your loved ones in a celebration of light. I am inviting you to dedicate your light for a loved one so they can shine brightly on St Barnabas Hospice’s beautiful Tree of Life outside Lincoln Cathedral.”
You can remember anyone with a light, not just those cared for by the Hospice. As a thank you and token for your loved one, St Barnabas will send you a personalised card and special tree decoration in the post.
Your donation for a light could pay for more people like Caroline, and her family, to receive specialist end-of-life care during the most difficult of times.