Karen shares her experience of Hospice at Home end-of-life nursing care for her mum, Celia, and the difference it made.
In 2016, Celia was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer that had already spread to her lungs. Doctors told her family she had around 18 months to live.
Despite the devastating prognosis, Celia responded remarkably well to treatment and went on to become the longest‑surviving person in the UK with her particular cancer. Our nurses visited her in the final stages of her life, to provide compassionate care for her and provide support for her family.
Her daughter, Karen, remembers the shock when Celia was diagnosed, she explained: “I was devastated and confused. Mum was the fittest, most positive, healthy‑living lady I had ever met.”
Karen and her mum, Celia England
Celia and her husband, John, were passionate walkers in the Derbyshire Dales, often covering 12 miles a day.
“Our family’s running joke was that she always took the longest route,” Karen added.
“She’d be striding out ahead up a mountain while we looked on in awe and exhaustion.”
As time went on, Celia continued to surpass every prognosis. Karen said: “I truly believe her positive spirit and stubbornness to never give up gave her the strength to keep defying all the odds,”
When one treatment stopped working, another was tried, and Celia lived far beyond every predicted milestone, making the most of every moment. However, over time, new treatments became harder for Celia to tolerate. She grew more confused and prone to infection.
Even so, she made it to Karen’s 50th birthday party and despite being given only weeks to live, also managed to attend her daughter Karen’s wedding – precious memories the family treasures.
In February 2023, Karen and her mum took what would be their last walk together around their favourite park in Allestree.
“We spoke at length about how she wanted to die at home, where she’d lived for the last 40 years,” Karen said. “It was incredibly difficult, but we were glad we knew her final wishes.”
In March, Celia’s end‑of‑life specialist called and urged Karen to travel to Derbyshire. A hospital bed was delivered and set up in the front lounge so Celia could look out of the window, surrounded by photos of her loved ones, and the family spent a peaceful weekend together.
Celia and John England
Treetops is a non‑bedded hospice, meaning all our end‑of‑life care takes place in people’s own homes rather than on an inpatient ward.
Our Hospice at Home nurses provide overnight care, allowing families to rest while knowing their loved one is safe. Our roaming service travels across the community day and night, offering urgent support, symptom management and reassurance.
For Celia, this support became vital when her palliative care specialist suggested contacting Treetops.
“All I knew about hospices was that when it was your time to pass, that’s where you went,” Karen admitted. “I had no idea that a hospice offered any other services.”
That Monday night, one of our nurses arrived, to care for Celia throughout the night.
“It was like a gift from the heavens,” Karen said. “Someone who cared, who helped and understood what we were going through.”
Each night, our nurse returned, giving the family the chance to rest. When Celia became agitated on Wednesday night, one of our roaming nurses visited to administer medication and settle her, avoiding the need for a hospital admission and keeping her where she wanted to be – at home.
The night before Celia died, Karen wanted to stay awake with the Treetops nurse.
“We chatted to mum, we made friends with each other and told each other our life stories,”
When Celia needed additional medication, district nurses joined them.
“I made tea, coffee, and got chocolate biscuits, and then me, the Treetops nurse and the district nurses had a little party with mum,” Karen recalled.
“I told lots of funny stories about my childhood and played her some of my singing. There was lots of laughter amongst the tears. I hope she was glad we tried to make it happy, not sad.”
Karen is certain that without Treetops, this wouldn’t have been possible.
“I would have been all alone, sleep‑deprived for six nights and frightened.”
On Friday morning, Karen hugged the Treetops nurse goodbye and spent some precious time with her mum.
With her husband, son, daughter and granddaughters beside her, Celia died peacefully in the home she had loved for over 40 years.
“It’s hard to fully describe how difficult that week was,” Karen said.
“But my overriding memories are of the love and support of the Treetops nurses. They lifted us through those long dark nights and filled them with a positivity I didn’t think possible.”
“They gave us the courage, love, strength and support to be strong enough to be there for her in her final hours.”
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