Laura's experience
When dad was diagnosed, I was 19 years old and studying at university. It was a shock at first but we soon learnt that there are lots of different treatments, even for advanced prostate cancer. We were very close as a family and mum and dad would keep me and my sister updated on what was happening. When things got worse and the treatment wasn’t working, dad went into the hospice to be looked after.
I lived about 50 minutes away from the hospice. When dad first went into the hospice, I went to visit two or three times every weekend. We’d sit around chatting, listen to music, doing activities – just like at home, really. My mum took time off work and spent most of her time at the hospice.
We’d sit around chatting and listen to music – just like at home, really.
In the last two weeks of dad’s life, my sister and I went to stay at my mum and dad’s house, which was near the hospice. We went into the hospice from 10am to 6pm each day. My nana, grandad and auntie were also there a lot. Everyone was very supportive. My mum stayed in the hospice. She slept in a recliner armchair next to my dad and they had a shower she could use. They didn’t have any restrictions on visiting times, so we could visit at any time.
They didn’t have any restrictions on visiting times, so we could visit at any time.
It was dad’s 54th birthday while he was in the hospice and we had a little party with close family – with party hats and everything! He loved seeing everyone and having people around.