“Doctors told us that the cancer had spread to his liver,” explained Jackie from Erdington. “Ron decided against treatment and he didn’t want to stay in hospital. That’s when the Community Team at John Taylor Hospice were there for us.”
Clinical Nurse Specialists from the hospice visited Ron, as and when needed, to provide expert end of life care and make sure he was as comfortable as possible.
“The nurses were so helpful and they’re lovely people,” said Jackie, 69. “They just instil confidence and they put my mind at rest. Ron was of course their primary concern but they never forgot about me. It’s such a comfort to know you’re not on your own.”
Ron died on 7 March 2017, just four weeks after his diagnosis and one day before his and Jackie’s 48th wedding anniversary. As a special thank you to hospice staff, Jackie asked family and friends if they could make donations at Ron’s funeral in his memory and in lieu of flowers.
Jackie added: “We know so many people including friends and neighbours whose lives have been touched by John Taylor Hospice and know the amount of funding that’s needed to continue providing that care.
Although John Taylor Hospice nurses only supported Ron for a short time the impact they had will never be forgotten.”