When a patient comes under the care of the Hospice, they are supported both physically and emotionally. Our care is holistic. Whether that care is on our In-patient Unit or in patients’ own homes, all our staff are dedicated to providing support during what is very often a difficult time for the patient but also for their loved ones.
Delays in patient diagnoses as a direct consequence of Covid has sadly seen an increase in the number of younger patients that are being are referred to the Hospice. And often with very complex needs. Last December, the Hospice was able to offer support to 29-year-old, Hollie, and her husband Rodian.
I realised that Hollie was special from the first moment I saw her. Her ability to be fiercely independent and headstrong coupled with an empathy like no other I’d ever seen, made her truly unique and wonderful to be around.
When we met in 2015, I knew instantly that this was the girl I would marry. Two years later, I proposed to her at the base of a mountain in Switzerland. Down on both knees in the rain, the words left my mouth as the clouds parted for a moment and a rainbow lit up the sky, creating a perfect memory that I will never forget.
In 2019, the two of us married in New York on impulse when Hollie looked up the top ten things to do there. Number one was ‘Get Married’, so that’s exactly what we did. Hollie looked beautiful in a shimmery silver-blue flowing dress as we posed together for our first photo as husband and wife on the Brooklyn Bridge. Her dress matched my outfit perfectly, despite us not seeing each other’s before the day. This was the epitome of our relationship - we just got each other in the way that true soul mates do.
The following February, Hollie started to show signs of being unwell and in December was diagnosed with cancer. Hollie and I realised that our time together would be shorter than either of us would have hoped.
I remember Hollie saying that it was the best and the worst time of her life because through all the pain, we never stopped appreciating what we had and how precious it was.
In December 2022, Hollie was admitted to the Hospice. Despite this being the most difficult of times in our lives, we were overwhelmed by the dedication and compassion of all the staff at the Hospice. Every time I came in, I was greeted with smiles and talk of how Hollie was joking around or talking to the nurses about her cute cuddly Baby Groot she took in with her.
Christmas Day was spent with Hollie in her room, which the staff had decorated with fairy lights that had been kindly donated by the local community. The Hospice staff couldn’t have done more to make us feel supported.
All the staff helped us have one last special Christmas making memories together -– watching the Moana film, opening presents, and smiling all day. The staff checked regularly that Hollie wasn’t in pain and felt comfortable That day would not have been as special as it was without this level of care and attention. It’s a happy memory I will hold dear for the rest of my life.
Sadly, Christmas Day was the last day Hollie was fully aware and conscious. She passed away five days later.
I believe you’re faced with choices in life. You make your own decisions, but alongside this we all have a path leading us to where we are meant to be and I’m so thankful that mine led me to Hollie.
One of the last things she said to me was ‘don’t be sad’. I know that she would have wanted me to share our story. Through all the sadness, you can’t help but feel her warmth and positivity that stayed with her right until the end.
Thank you for taking the time to read mine and Hollie’s story.
Everyone deserves the support that the Hospice were able to give to Hollie and Rodian. The toughest of times can bring about such love and precious memories.
If you are able to make a donation of any size to help us to continue to provide our care to others we would be incredibly grateful.
