When Michele was referred to Trinity Hospice during a stay at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, she says she was frightened.
She had been diagnosed with cancer of the womb, and was struggling to keep her pain under control. Doctors said her pain would be better managed by staff at the hospice, and recommended she come to us for a short stay so we could help.
But the word hospice can be a scary one, and Michele didn’t know what to expect.
“When they said hospice, even though I knew it was just for pain management, you just get that fear of going in there and never coming out,” she said.
“It did make me a bit uncertain about going – the fear of the unknown, I think. But from the minute I went through those doors I knew I wouldn’t want to leave. If I have to go back, it’s something I’d look forward to, safe in the knowledge that I will be in the hands of such lovely, kind and caring people, and that my family is able to visit me.
“It’s like a home from home. And more importantly, my family – my husband Phil, and my son Liam and daughter-in-law Alexandra – were all allowed to come to visit. Not only was that important for me and gave me something to look forward to every day, it was so important for them to see that I was getting better, and that I was comfortable in my own room. That was really reassuring for them at such a difficult time.
“I was in Trinity for three weeks, and I loved every minute of it. Every single member of staff was absolutely perfect, and they would do anything for me. One night one of the nurses brought me hot chocolate at 1.30am.
“There’s such a lovely atmosphere there, not at all like a hospital or what you would expect. It was a home away from home.
“And even afterwards they’re calling me to see how I am doing, and they’ve been to visit me at home.
“I’m so grateful for everything Trinity has done for not just me, but my family as well. Thank you so much.