My husband Philip and I met in the Northeast. We moved to Warwickshire soon afterwards, where we got married and started our family, two boys, Dan and David. Philip was clever man, very committed to his career as a lawyer and to his family. He was extremely humble, and never happier than when scruffily dressed and spending time home. He was our family’s backstop. He just wanted to be a dad, look after us all and make everything alright.
Philip became poorly in August 2022. After many GP visits, a scan and surgery to remove his gallbladder, they eventually discovered a tumour on his pancreas. After chemotherapy, we were told the devastating news that more treatment wasn’t going to work for him.
Philip‘s experience in the hospital was difficult; he was happy to come to Overgate when offered a bed. I’ll be honest, I always thought a hospice is a place where you come to die. But I learned during that month that Overgate is a place where they understand the complexities of pain, where they can relieve symptoms. It’s a place you come to be understood. It felt like we were being scooped up and cared for at last.
It was hard to share a space with others though, separated by only a curtain – able to hear delicate conversations that should be private, between family members. The new facilities will make a world of difference – it will mean that people have the chance to be together, but not encroach on those special moments that should be kept between those closest to you.
I believe that there’s no better thing you can do for a person than to give them a good death. The best possible experience, calm and as special as it can be – as we had with Philip – with support for your family during such a difficult time.
Making this service available to someone you may never meet? That’s the true meaning of community and togetherness. I think this new hospice will be a beautiful gift to give our community. Please support the Big Build Appeal if you can.