My name is Emma. I wanted to share my story of how St Peter's Hospice helped my family. Not just once, but twice. Let me start at the beginning...
My Mum met Nick, my stepdad, in 2012. In the years they were together I have never seen her so happy. They did everything together. Sadly, their happiness was shattered when Nick was diagnosed with colon cancer.
St Peter's provided Hospice at Home care for Nick, and supported my Mum along with myself and my step brothers, Steve, Paul and Tom. My Mum couldn’t speak highly enough of the support she received during this time. They talked her through everything, and gave her the confidence to care for Nick at home as he wanted. They were truly amazing. He lived 10 months after his diagnosis. My mum’s heart was broken into pieces.
Little did we know that soon we'd be calling on their help again. Just six months after Nick passed away, my Mum was diagnosed with a rare cancer of the bile duct.
So much courage.
My Mum tackled the news so bravely. 'Gotta keep going – gotta keep living' she'd always say. We squeezed everything we could out of enjoying life between all the chemo appointments. But soon it was clear that the NHS had done everything they could for us. She needed more support.
That's when St Peter's stepped in again. They picked us up whenever we felt lost or overwhelmed. They became our main point of contact for all medications and gave me emotional and practical support. Yes, they were there for my Mum, but I could also ring them up and discuss her symptoms and how to help, which was invaluable. Everyone from St Peter's were so genuine and caring.
My Mum passed away at home on Christmas Day 2024.
A nurse from St Peter's called KC came out right away, and handled it all. She took control, and explained everything. Your whole world has just blown apart, but she was so good, especially with my young children. She treated us with the utmost dignity and empathy, even going upstairs to make my Mum look peaceful before the children saw her.
They also offered me counselling support for six weeks afterwards with an incredible bereavement counsellor. It gave me a safe space to begin talking about everything. My mental health would be in a very different place if I hadn’t had that support from St Peter's.
Can you believe only 20% of funding comes from the NHS?
For all the amazing work they do, and the support they give, this isn't a lot. They need to find every extra penny. That's why things like supporter donations are vital. Without them, then the care can't continue, simple as that. So please, if you can, send a donation today. I know first-hand just how much it would mean to other families.
I genuinely don't know what people would do if St Peter’s didn't exist. Thanks for reading my story.
