Latest news with #hospiceCare
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Orpington mum dies after 'perimenopause' symptoms was actually bowel cancer
A mum said knowing she was going to die from bowel cancer allowed her to "live more fully" - and her last few weeks contained "some of the happiest days" of her life. Laura Dawson, 44, suffered with bloating and fatigue for several months before being told she had stage three cancer in March last year. Initially, she thought her symptoms were linked to perimenopause - but one night had to be rushed to A&E because her stomach pain suddenly became so bad she "could not move". The mum-of-two underwent emergency surgery to remove an obstruction on her bowel, and while the operation itself was successful, a biopsy revealed her cancer diagnosis. Laura was supported by St Christopher's Hospice in Sydenham, south east London. (Image: SWNS) Laura underwent six months of chemotherapy, and initially the scans were "promising", according to her husband Ben, 49. He said: "We got one clear scan in August and it all seemed promising. But then in September we got the news that it was back and it had spread. "That was absolutely gut wrenching." Initially, Laura trialled some other forms of chemotherapy - but two months ago she decided to discontinue treatment. The treatment was only making her more ill - and she instead wanted to spend what time she had left with her family and friends. Laura was supported by St Christopher's Hospice in Sydenham, who allowed her to live at home for as long as she could - meaning she could enjoy her family's company in a "comfortable and dignified way". Laura died at St Christopher's Hospice on Sunday, June 29 (Image: SWNS) After two weeks, she was transferred to in-hospice care. She died at St Christopher's Hospice on Sunday, June 29. Ben said her death was "peaceful" - and he was with her at the end. He continued: "The care Laura received at home from the carers from St Christopher's allowed her to have her final two weeks at home in a comfortable and dignified way. "Then, during the nearly three weeks she stayed at the hospice, she was so well looked after - and everyone there was so compassionate and so caring - that it made Laura's last few days so good for her. "We're eternally grateful that such a positive experience could come from such a negative situation." Laura said some of her final days had been some of her happiest. (Image: SWNS) Speaking previously about her experience of knowing she was dying, Laura said some of her final days had been some of her "happiest". She said: "Some of the happiest days of my life have been in the last few weeks. "As a society, we shy away from the process of dying. "By doing that, we reinforce negative ideas around death. People think death is always going to be painful and traumatic, but it doesn't have to be. "Deep down we all know we are going to die. Cancer has forced me to acknowledge it. "Since then I've lived more fully than I've ever done, and that has been a gift." Ben explained that he and Laura viewed the time they had together as a blessing - even if they both wished they had longer. Laura and Ben have two sons, Jacob, 17, and Theo, 15. (Image: SWNS) He said: "Laura could have died on that operating table back in March. Life can be cut short unexpectedly and suddenly. "But knowing Laura was going to die meant everyone had the opportunity to say what they wanted to say to her. "When it comes to the funeral, I won't have to stand up there and say all those things I wished I had said to her. "Because I told her, and so did the kids. "Obviously, I'd prefer to keep her - and have her for the rest of my life. Ben said that they will miss Laura "endlessly" (Image: SWNS) "But she died knowing she is loved and that we will miss her endlessly. "That is a blessing." Ben said that throughout the process, he and Laura were always honest with their sons Jacob, 17, and Theo, 15. Ben said: "We've spoken very openly about it all the way through. "We've always told them what the possible outcomes are - because we want to prepare them for what might happen and we want them to be able to trust what we're saying. "That's definitely helped us throughout." He also said the care she received - from the NHS and St Christopher's - had made the experience a lot easier. "From the moment she was admitted into Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, all the care Laura received was incredible," Ben said. "We really are so thankful." Ben said that Laura wanted to share her story to help others. (Image: SWNS) Ben said that Laura wanted to share her story to help other people deal with dying and death. He said: "The way she's approached this has been incredible. I don't think there's been a day in this process where Laura truly let this get to her. "This is unfair. She's had her life cut short by 40 or 50 years. But she's seeing the beauty in the small things - taking joy in what she can do. "They say people are glass half empty or glass half full. Laura was always happy enough just to have a glass. "She wants to share that with people." Laura also used what time she had left to create memories for her loved ones. She wrote letters, organised mementoes, and bought both of her sons sentimental watches. "She bought me one when we got engaged and now the boys have one too," Ben said. "That way, on special occasions, like their weddings, they can look at it and know she's with them and thought about that day." Recommended Reading London woman grateful she's sober after incurable brain tumour London man discovered 5 tumours after craving olives Girl becomes fastest 8 year-old to run a 5k in the world Speaking about Laura, Ben continued: "We met 24 years ago. They talk about love at first sight - and it was that. "She's been my constant companion ever since. "Laura is generous to a fault - and the kind of person who is friends with someone after a minute of chatting to them. "She's just a really, really nice person."
CTV News
01-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Hogs for Hospice and ESHF move forward as separate organizations
Erie Shores Health Foundation (ESHF) and Hogs for Hospice are moving forward as separate, independent organizations, the foundation announced. As the 2025 Hogs for Hospice motorcycle rally approaches in August, ESHF issued a news release on Monday thanking the founding organizers and long-time supporters of Hogs for Hospice for their extraordinary contributions to local hospice care over the past 15 years. 'As we look ahead, given the event's growth and size, Erie Shores Health Foundation and Hogs for Hospice have mutually agreed to move forward as separate, independent organizations,' said the statement. 'This formal transition reflects best practices in charitable governance and reinforces each organization's autonomy.' Erie Shores Health Foundation will remain fully focused on its strategic priorities, including stewarding donations, supporting hospice and hospital care, and investing in long-term health outcomes for the region.
New York Times
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
‘Life Was Awesome:' After Terminal Diagnosis, a Young Father Announces His Own Death
'Hey, it's me, Tanner. If you're watching this, I am dead.' For the past several years, Tanner Martin documented his colon cancer diagnosis for hundreds of thousands of followers. That included rounds of chemo and radiation and half a dozen major surgeries, as well as a visit to his future gravesite. It also included more joyful moments, like a vow renewal ceremony in Ireland with his wife, Shay Wright, and other trips abroad. Just last month, it included the arrival of their first child, AmyLou, after the in vitro fertilization experience they chronicled. But on Wednesday, Ms. Wright posted one final video on behalf of her husband. Mr. Martin had prerecorded the message to be posted when he died. He was 30. The five-minute video has been viewed more than eight million times on TikTok. Mr. Martin was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in November 2020. In February 2023, he learned that the cancer was terminal. And in April of that year, the couple began posting on TikTok about his treatments, their grief and preparations for Mr. Martin's eventual death. 'I had a heck of a life,' he said in the video posted on Wednesday, adding that recording a video ahead of his death was 'a good opportunity to get all your thoughts out.' He added that it might give his wife the space to grieve. It was not immediately clear when Mr. Martin died, or when the goodbye video had been recorded. The couple, who lived in Utah, posted less than a week ago that he had entered hospice care. In the video, Mr. Martin asks his followers to continue to support his wife and their daughter with donations and gift cards. 'I'm going to guess Jiaozi will probably like milk,' he says with a laugh, using a nickname for AmyLou, before holding his head in his hand. Words of affirmation and prayers would go a long way, too, he added. 'Life was awesome. I really enjoyed it while I was here,' Mr. Martin said. 'I believe there's something after this. I'm excited to meet those people, and hopefully we're hanging out now and making fun of all you nerds.' He left with a few words of advice: Be kind to each other and assume good intent from others. 'Death is scary, but it's also like a new adventure, you know,' he said. 'I'm excited to see what the experience is like, and hopefully it's good.'
