Christine, 74, recently stayed in our specialist in-patient unit. She was blown away with the support she received from the staff and volunteers that restored her faith and belief.

In 2015, my husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer, which was controlled at first until he started to lose his balance. I was really worried about him; we didn’t know what was wrong.

I was a very fit lady, before lockdown I was doing 3 exercise classes a week and walking 6 to 7 miles every day. When the pandemic hit, I carried on walking up until my husband got too unwell to be left on his own.

One day, I lifted his wheelchair and pulled my back, and I was in a lot of pain. My husband was diagnosed with a brain tumour which is now managed with treatment when needed.

In the meantime, I was deteriorating, and I was taken to James Cook Trauma unit, and they later revealed I had stage 4 lung cancer, which was incurable. My husband was in shock, and I was in a daze, nothing would register. I started my treatment just after Christmas, but it didn’t react well with my body. I was in a lot of pain and experienced distress, and I just wanted to die.

Then, I was introduced to the Hospice. When I came in, they showed me the room, and gave me some oxygen and pain relief, which really helped control my symptoms.  

Over the last 2 and a half years, I had not held my family as they were afraid of hurting me. When I got to the hospice, one of the doctors hugged me, and I didn’t want him to let go. The Dr told me he would look after me. I was so tired and because my symptoms were under-control, I was able to sleep throughout the night, for the first time in 2 years. I woke up pain free, everything felt sur-real, and I started to improve, and this is all because of the amazing staff and volunteers at the hospice. Every one of you embraced me and for that I am truly grateful”

I can’t express how much the hospice helped. They have restored my faith and belief. They really are the good in the world and I wish I could pass on my joy, positivity, and belief that Teesside Hospice has given me to all who are suffering.

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