Debbie's husband Graham was diagnosed with cancer of the duodenum (a part of the small intestine, which connects to the stomach) and spent time at the Hospice, as well as receiving support in their own home.
The two enjoyed a vibrant life before Graham's diagnosis and Debbie remembers there was never a dull day spent with him.
"Whenever Graham said something, it was always quite profound. He was a deep thinker and he really loved life. We spent just short of 27 years together and were married for ten.
"Our favourite place in the world was Las Vegas. I've lost count of how many times we visited. He proposed to me in front of the famous fountains at the Bellagio Hotel and we got married in a chapel in Vegas.
"A year ago, before he died in May 2025, we were planning to return there," Debbie reminisced.
After his diagnosis, Graham and Debbie were made aware of the Living Well group. Graham was hesitant, until he arrived at the Hospice and a welcoming Nurse introduced herself.
"He walked into the Hospice like a nervous four-year-old on his first day of school! But by the time he walked out, he was almost skipping. He left with a bag of vegetables that had been grown at the Hospice and he was so pleased with himself that he'd been to the group."
Graham attended a few Living Well sessions, but life got in the way and some time had passed since he last visited the Hospice. One day, Debbie remembered, Graham experienced a particularly difficult turn.
"We loved shopping, it was his happy place. I had gone to work and phoned Graham to let him know that I would be home soon, then we could get ready to go to out to the shops.
"By the time I got home, he was really unwell."
Thanks to Graham's positive experience at the Living Well Group, Debbie knew exactly who to phone. Our Nurses came out to see him as soon as possible and her husband received support from our Hospice at Home team for five months. When he became more ill in April 2025, Graham came to stay at the Hospice until the end of his life.
"When we arrived, he immediately said: 'This is where I want to be'," Debbie recalled.
She offered to take Graham back home but he didn't want to leave and it was clear to Debbie that he felt at home.
From the minute they arrived at the Hospice, it wasn't only about supporting Graham, Debbie explained.
"His two daughters were there, and lots of family and friends would come in to visit. Graham was enjoying life and as strange as it sounds, given the situation, it was beautiful.
"I work in healthcare, and I can tell you from that perspective too — there was nothing I could fault. There is nothing the Hospice could have said or done differently for us.
"From the Nurses to the Healthcare Assistants, they didn't just cater to Graham's needs. It was like being in a five-star hotel because of the way they looked after us all, and the surroundings of the Hospice are just fantastic.
"Graham had the end of his life exactly as he wanted it. If anyone reading this has an end-of-life diagnosis and has the option to go to the Hospice, I would absolutely advocate for that."
Debbie shared that Graham was even able to plan his own funeral, instructing attendees to wear bright colours. He picked out certain loved ones, including Debbie, to wear black.
After Graham died, Debbie attended one of our Grief drop-in groups but left after a couple of sessions.
"It was just too early in my grief journey, I think," she explained.
When Debbie was ready to return, she began to find reassurance through speaking to others who were experiencing grief.
"I met another lady in the group whose husband had died. After we spoke, I can only describe it as feeling a pull towards attending the group, so I got her number and we still speak to this day.
"For me, the Hospice support group is somewhere I just want to be. I've met lots of lovely people and we’ve been able to discuss our loved ones openly.
"It's the first time I’ve ever felt this sensation of grief. You don't know what path your grief is going to take but speaking to others makes you realise the emotions you're experiencing are normal.
"The first couple of times I went, things felt cloudy and I was uncertain, but that soon changed. Never did I ever think I would make the journey up to the Hospice every week but it's become a place of comfort for me."
Before he died, Graham told Debbie: "You must make sure you go back to Vegas, Deb."
Earlier this year, finally feeling ready to revisit the places that hold so many special memories of her and Graham, Debbie booked her ticket to return to Las Vegas.
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