Ann Gregory remembers her treasured husband, Pete, who was sadly diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in April 2022.
Pete was 67 years old at the time of his diagnosis, at an otherwise joyful period of life for both him, his wife and their family.
Ann got in touch with St Barnabas Hospice at the beginning of Pete’s diagnosis. Ann said: “It’s not until you’re involved with St Barnabas that you realise, they don’t just do terminal care.
“We had physiotherapists, people coming in to talk to Pete about what was going to happen, getting his respect form organised and sorting out claims through the Welfare and Benefits Team.
“They just knew what they were doing. They kept me going and I couldn’t have managed without them.”
Pete and Ann received Hospice at Home care from the St Barnabas Community Team, enabling Pete to be cared for in his own home and spend precious time with Ann and his loved ones.
Ann continues: “When it got near the end, Pete had a fall and needed a hospital bed. Mary came in from St Barnabas and convinced him that a hospital bed was a good idea.
“I’ll be eternal grateful to her.”
Unfortunately, Pete is not the only member of Ann’s family that has needed care and support from St Barnabas Hospice.
Helen, Ann’s eldest sister, said: “I’m not sure there are many other families out there that have received as much support from St Barnabas as we have.
“Sadly, a number of years ago my husband was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. Approximately five years ago, my youngest sister was diagnosed with incurable secondary breast cancer. Then, nearly two years ago, I was diagnosed with incurable secondary breast cancer.
“We have all received so much support from St Barnabas and we are all so, so grateful.”
As a loved one of a patient, Ann received support from St Barnabas throughout Pete’s diagnosis and following his death. Ann said: “When Pete did pass away, I rang Emma, a St Barnabas nurse.
“She was working locally and was with me within five minutes. She sorted everything out; rang the undertaker and rang the careers. That was something that was taken off my hands and I didn’t have to do.
“They look after you and you feel part of their family.
“Pete died peacefully at home, which is where he wanted to be.”
Following Pete’s death, Ann has continued to support St Barnabas and in October 2023, took part in a Fire Walk to fundraise for the Hospice.
This year, Ann has joined St Barnabas Hospice Patron, Warwick Davis, in pledging to leave a gift in her Will to the charity.
Leaving a gift in your Will can help ensure that support like Pete, Ann and Helen received continues in the future.
To find out more and give the gift of loving care, visit the St Barnabas Hospice website.