Ellen shares her personal experiences of how our Hospice at Home nurses helped to care for her husband John, affectionately known as ‘Buzz’.
“About 20 years ago, Buzz was diagnosed as diabetic and having a fatty liver, but the doctors said it was nothing to worry about. He was on medication, and it didn’t stop us from doing anything at all. We just carried on living.
The Treetops nurses were truly dedicated to end-of-life care
But at the start of the pandemic, he was diagnosed with ‘autoimmune hepatitis’ (a rare liver disease where the body’s immune system causes damage to its own healthy liver cells).
Buzz started to get weaker and every few months he needed fluid draining from his abdomen. Just over two years ago, we saw Buzz’s consultant and he said, ‘your liver is gradually deteriorating. I would say you’ve got 12 to 18 months left’. It came as a shock to both of us.The Treetops nurses’ support meant we could be together as a family at home. The nurses were amazing and truly dedicated to end-of-life care.
The nurses also came to care for Buzz at night
Buzz was frightened to be on his own at home, so they would sit with him. They were so, so lovely with him and it meant I wasn’t worrying about him while I went to do some shopping or go to the bank.
I wasn’t getting much sleep, so the nurses also came at night. They were so caring and professional.
The nurses made the last few days of Buzz’s life so calm and comfortable. He was peaceful and he was pain-free. He passed away peacefully and with dignity.
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