Sandra Ackers has praised the exceptional care her husband Brian received at Moya Cole Hospice in Heald Green, describing how the support made an extremely difficult time a little bit easier. Brian, who was diagnosed as terminal two years ago after his cancer returned following 20 years, died at the hospice in March this year.
Brian's final months and the hospice's holistic approach
Brian had cancer in his mouth and underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy, which caused him to dislocate his jaw. He could not eat for the final 12 months of his life and was fed through a PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy). The only treatment available in the end was radiotherapy, which he had previously received for his earlier cancer. Sandra recalled the pain he endured, saying she told him she did not expect him to undergo the treatment, but he insisted he wanted to because he wanted to meet his granddaughter Lottie, who had not been born yet. That was last November.
When Brian arrived at Moya Cole Hospice, he was given his own room, which made him happy. He had a suction machine to help with secretions from his mouth, as he did not like people seeing that happen. Sandra said it felt like being at home from the start. A lady came to see them and gave everyone a cup of tea. The hospice provided Brian with a whiteboard so he could communicate. Doctors visited him regularly and spoke directly to him, which Sandra found lovely. She said they made him a part of the process, which was very important to her. He was not just a patient or a number; he was a human being.
A memorable Sunday and the final days
One Sunday, Brian watched Manchester United on a phone, watching all the games without taking his eyes off the screen all day. The following Monday, he slept all day, which Sandra attributed to the football. That was Brian's best day. On Wednesday, at about 3am, the family received a call from Natasha, a nurse on the ward, who said Brian's breathing had changed and they might want to come in. The family stayed with Brian all Wednesday morning. Sandra did not leave his side. Natasha brought her a recliner chair, which was heavy, and managed to get it in by herself, saying Sandra could sleep in it. Sandra could not sleep but appreciated the thought.
Jodie, Sandra's daughter, arrived before 7 o'clock on Thursday morning and told Sandra to go home and get some sleep. Sandra went home and started washing Brian's pyjamas, even though the hospice had offered to wash them. She was hanging the washing out when Jodie rang and said she needed to get there straight away. Sandra continued putting out the washing. By the time she arrived, Brian had already passed away. Sandra said she curses that day. Jodie was with him, and Olivia, a nurse on the ward, stayed with her and Brian. Jodie said she could not have done it alone.
Meeting granddaughter Lottie and hospice services
Shortly before Brian died, Leanne gave birth to her daughter Lottie. Brian had the chance to meet her and hold her in his arms. Moya Cole Hospice provides holistic care to patients with life-limiting illnesses, comprising inpatient care, day therapy, and supportive outpatient services from its sites at Heald Green, Stockport, and Little Hulton, Salford. The teams also provide a range of community and outreach services, including care in the place patients call home via a Hospice at Home service available in Salford and Trafford, the hospice's Community Specialist Palliative Care Team in Salford, and the homelessness palliative care service in Manchester. A 24-hour telephone advice line is available to patients, carers, and healthcare professionals in Salford, Manchester, Trafford, and Stockport.
