This is Nicki’s story.
“Gary was the man of my dreams. We met when I moved to Sherwood, he asked me out for coffee and obviously I said yes, this is where our story began. We married in 1997 and celebrated with family and friends at Bestwood Lodge, Bestwood Country Park. Having lived together in Arnold, we made the decision to move to Newark and bought our first house together, we moved in on my 30th birthday in 2002.
We lived a very happy life together.
In 2020, everything changed. Covid-19 hit and during the August, our lives were turned upside down.
Gary was diagnosed with throat and mouth cancer. He was so strong and brave during what I can only describe as a terrible time. Gary underwent surgery, a 14-hour operation at the QMC in Nottingham. But we were given the devastating news that the next stage would be palliative care.
We were supported by Macmillan, the Red Cross and Beaumond House Hospice Care.
The Hospice at Home team from Beaumond House visited on 8th February 2021, plans were made to support Gary at home for as long as possible. A bed was delivered by the Red Cross, and the Beaumond House team got it ready for Gary to use. I thought we may have had longer.
Sadly, we didn’t have much time, and Gary died, on 10th February, just two days later. Gary was only 55 when he died. I was with Gary when he died, his sister Claire and our two cats were also by his side.
The staff from the hospice were amazing and although it was only two days, I felt that it seemed like the hospice had been part of mine, and Gary’s life forever.
Before Gary’s diagnosis, I wasn’t aware of the services that were available through the hospice, you just don’t realise what is there until you need it.
I have pledged to leave a gift in my Will to Beaumond House to say thank you for the support and care given to Gary, and to myself. Gary’s wish was to die in the safety of his own home, and this happened with the support of the amazing charities that were involved.
Although the support was only brief, I will be forever grateful to the hospice –Beaumond House is part of my life now. I know Gary would have wanted me to leave a gift in my Will, in his memory.”
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