Russell’s Hospice journey
Meet Russell, from Burwash. His recent stay on our In-Patient Unit (IPU) was just one part of a wider journey through hospice care – from pain management, to emotional, spiritual, and practical support for both him and his wife, Nicky.
After being diagnosed with cancer, Russell was in constant pain and had stopped doing many of the things he used to enjoy.
One night, his pain became unbearable. His wife, Nicky, contacted the Hospice, and when a bed became available, Russell was admitted to the IPU.
At first, Russell felt anxious and unsure of what it meant to stay on the IPU “I felt nervous. I didn’t know what to expect.” Nicky was able to stay in his room with him, “It meant everything to have Nicky stay with me. I think I was frightened of what might happen, but the nurses were fantastic at helping me settle in.” Dr David Barclay, Medical Director, realised the pain medication Russell had been taking was making things worse. During the transition onto his new medication, Russell felt very unwell, “I suffered with delirium, I didn’t know who anybody was where I was who I was or anything. I couldn’t engage with anyone, my eyes were glazed, I didn’t recognise anyone, I was being sick, I didn’t want to eat.”
After a few days on the new medication, Russell started to feel better, even well enough to enjoy a relaxing bubble bath. “It was so peaceful. I just laid there.” Though his pain was easing, Dr Barclay noticed Russell needed more than medicine. He could see Russell had lost hope.
With support from Dr Nikki Anne Rodwell and the IPU team, Russell visited the Chapel and met Diane, a volunteer from the Spiritual Support Team. They talked, and Diane prayed with him. “Dianne asked if I’d like to see Father David from St John’s Church, I said yes, so she gave him a ring and about an hour later he came to chat with me. We chatted about our lives, our interests, how I felt and he prayed for me. I felt so calm.”
The next day, Russell was visited by Naga, Spiritual Support Coordinator, and Gemma, one of the Social Workers. He spent time chatting with them. “I just wanted to talk to someone, not answer questions, not get advice, just talk. Everyone spoke to me like a person, not just a patient.”
As the week went on, Russell began to feel more hopeful. He had coffee with his family and walked in the garden. Colin, Wellbeing Assistant, helped Russell find a walking aid that suited him best for when he returned home. Nicky was also able to chat to Colin about her experience, which reassured Russell and made him feel stronger, knowing his wife was being supported too, “she said it was so helpful to speak to someone about the situation without having to answer medical questions, she could talk about how she felt.”
Russell was eventually discharged from the IPU. He said, “Without the Hospice, I’d still have all that pain inside of me. I’ve spoken to so many people from different teams, I think I’ve used them all!”
Russell is now back to driving, seeing friends, building models, going on holiday, and walking to the churchyard in Burwash – something he always loved. “It’s like I was broken,” he says, “and the Hospice put me back together.” We’re now supporting Russell to live well at home, he has physiotherapy support from Rehabilitation Lead Matt Wheatley, and him and Nicky have joined the Moving Forward group, which is part of the Wellbeing Programme – his journey with us continues.
