“His smiles showed how much he felt about all you did for him. His eyes lit up when he saw you! Your care of him was second to none – you made him so comfortable by the end of every visit.”
Judith Sibley shares her experiences of the care her husband Colin received from our Home care team.
“I live in a lovely village called Hutton Rudby, where we have lived since Colin and I got married in 1967.
When he died in March 2023, Colin was 78. He was a retired drayman having worked for breweries for much of his working life.
“Colin was a man who never drew the circle of his family and friends too small; a down to earth Yorkshireman – never afraid to call a spade a spade, but always ready to lend a helping hand when and where it was needed.
Having been first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015 Colin had a variety of treatments over the years, and it was something that was lived with, as opposed to living in its shadow.
“In late 2000 Colin contracted covid and spent three months in James Cook University Hospital; the beginning of which was spent in intensive care where it was touch and go as to whether he would pull through.
“But determined as ever he came through the other side with much prayer, love, help and support from professionals, family and friends; however, having suffered a stroke during his time in ICU it did leave him with some speech and mobility problems (much of which he made a good recovery from) as well as some damage to his lungs.
“Life went on in a different way, but in March 2020 Colin’s cancer consultant told him that the cancer was no longer treatable; the cancer spread to his lungs.
“By the December breathing was becoming more difficult for Colin and he was taken into hospital once more to ease things. More tests showed that the cancer had spread further into his bones.
“ It was at this point a care package was put in place for Colin to be able to come home on palliative care with the Herriot Hospice Home Care team there to support Colin and myself (and the rest of the family) with his care for the last 11 weeks of his life.
“There are not enough words to express my thanks for the most wonderful way you cared for Colin in the last 11 weeks of his life, especially the final 5 weeks when he was bed bound.
“His smiles showed how much he felt about all you did for him. His eyes lit up when he saw you! Your care of him was second to none – you made him so comfortable by the end of every visit.
“You taught me such a lot which helped me to be a better carer for him, especially during the nights and you were a great support to me, as well as to Colin.
“You are all angels – very dedicated to what you do. Your care, compassion and friendliness were very special to us both. I really can’t praise you enough.”
