Hospice News

Patient & Carer Stories

Paul was diagnosed with Prostate cancer in 2013 and was referred to the Hospice after being cared for at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. He reflects on his experience of the Hospice and the wonderful people he has met during his time here.

“My name is Paul and I’ve had Prostate cancer since 2013. I’ve had various treatments over the years including an operation which worked for about 18 months, then radiotherapy and chemotherapy, neither of which worked in the end and the cancer stayed.

"I had been under the care of the BRI who are very good, and then recently, I was referred to the Hospice. I had started to go downhill quickly. It was incredibly hard. I couldn't eat, I couldn't even get up the stairs – I was sleeping on a chair. I needed to come to the Inpatient Unit in Brentry.

"I've been at the Hospice now for just over a week and already my confidence has renewed. When I heard the word Hospice it freaked me out. But the person dealing with my referral told me, you're not here to die, you're here so that we can help you feel better. And they were right. I know I'll never get completely right again, but they're helping to make me feel as well as I can. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It's brilliant.

"The Hospice is wonderful. I can't believe that there are so many fantastic people in one place. Even the cleaners care so much.

"And you're never alone here. People pop in and out all day long. I have aromatherapy with Claire which I enjoy. Maddie, one of the nurses, helped me and my family talk about my funeral plans. I've also seen people from the Spiritual team to help me deal with the psychological side of facing death.

"I've been visited by a very lovely Buddhist lady and someone from my Roman Catholic church. What I love is that it doesn't matter what religion you are, they just come and talk to you and read you a nice passage.

"I love the gardens here at the Hospice as well. I can't do much any more so when my son and daughter-in-law came to visit last week, they wheeled me out to the gardens and we sat out there an had a coffee. It was so special, the gardens are beautiful. I'm hoping to take my friend out there when they come to visit next week.

"My view on hospices has changed completely since I’ve been here. It's a comforting place where I would encourage anyone to come."