Christopher discovered he had an aggressive brain tumour after losing vision from the side of one eye last summer. His daughter, Charlotte, shares her perspective on her dad's story and the care the family received from the Hospice at Home team.
Family man and former accountant Christopher discovered he had an inoperable brain tumour after losing vision from the side of one eye last summer. Despite radio and chemotherapy, his cancer was aggressive and he quickly deteriorated. Within three months he was bed-bound, unable to walk and talk properly.
Christopher's wife Irene and the couple's three children agreed they would like to care for him at his home in Stevenage. It was then that our Hospice at Home team became involved.
Charlotte, Christopher's daughter, told us:
"It's really hard looking after someone at home. Mum was here and one of us was always here, but it wasn't enough. They came in 3-4 times a day for the 8 weeks until he died and having them here made such a difference.
"They took the pressure off us. They would help dad with daily things, getting washed and dressed. They were always respectful of him - if he wasn't having a good day and didn't want so much done, they'd go at his pace.
"It meant he was comfortable at all times, in his own space, he could still view the garden he loved, his grandchildren could come in and out."
But it wasn't just Christopher they cared for - they supported the whole family too.
"They were so caring to all of us, not just dad," said Charlotte. "They'd often come in and lighten the mood - if we were having a bad day they'd put an arm round us or ask how we were."
A family Christmas
As Christmas 2021 approached, Christopher's family knew he was getting more poorly. Their one hope was they would be able to spend Christmas together.
"Without the Hospice at Home team, dad wouldn't have been home for Christmas. We wouldn't have been able to do it without their help," said Charlotte.
Christopher and his family's Christmas Day was as near normal as it could be. They ate Christmas dinner together, played games round his bed, and his six grandchildren could open their presents with him. The Hospice at Home team visited throughout.
"It was our last Christmas together and we were able to have it all together, in his home where he felt safe and loved. It was so special that we were able to have that time with dad," said Charlotte.
"The Hospice at Home team made it possible. They worked on their Christmas day to give us our Christmas day."
For the next few weeks, the Hospice at Home team worked alongside district nurses and Christopher's palliative care nurse.
"They noticed signs of deterioration and they were really good at preparing us for that," said Charlotte. "They kept him comfortable and they were just so caring."
Christopher died three weeks after Christmas.
"Dad was dedicated to us all - family was his world. When he was poorly it was our time to look after him, and the Hospice at Home team made that possible. With their help we were able to dedicate ourselves to him the way he'd done for us."
