Pat's story - Christmas at the hospice

Sharon was vibrant, hardworking, and endlessly creative. She had recently made some big changes in her life. She had found joy and purpose in her work as a chef, a job she loved. She’d even paid off her house, a milestone that brought her a new sense of freedom and pride. She was just 54.

When she developed an abscess in her stomach, it seemed like just one of those things. A few weeks later after having it drained, the pain returned. We all assumed it was the same issue flaring up again. Sharon herself had put it down to getting older and the wear and tear of a busy kitchen life but this pain eventually became too much to bear.

After a series of tests, we received the news no one is ever prepared for. Sharon had ovarian cancer. Worse still, the doctors told us there was nothing more they could do. The weight of that moment is something I will never forget.

As her condition progressed, it became harder and harder to manage things at home. Her sister, Diane, is a nurse and had heard beautiful things about Dove House, she gently mentioned the hospice. It was Sharon’s decision to try hospice care, none of us could have imagined just how much Dove House would come to mean to us.

From the moment Sharon arrived, we knew she was in the right place. The staff didn’t just care for her, they saw her; they took time to learn about her, her passions, what made her smile. She was incredibly talented with her hands crafting beautiful things and when they discovered this, the hospice’s Patient Activities Coordinator brought her craft supplies and set up a little crafting space just for her, she even made some of the stunning tissue box covers you’ll find on the Inpatient Unit today. That small corner of creativity gave her purpose again, it reminded her of who she was beyond her illness and that meant the world to her, and to us.

Sharon absolutely loved Christmas, so did the rest of our family. We’ve always made it a special time, full of warmth, laughter, and togetherness and although we knew this Christmas would be different, the staff at Dove House made sure it was just as magical.

They didn’t just decorate; they transformed her room. Twinkling lights were strung around her bed, they brought her an extra table and lamp and even decorated the window so she could feel surrounded by festive cheer. Carol singers filled the Inpatient Unit, musicians played, and there was joy woven into every moment. Despite our sadness, the spirit of Christmas was alive, because they made it so.

On Christmas Day, our whole family gathered in the hospice’s family room. We sang, we laughed, we shared food and memories. The staff checked in on us constantly, offering drinks and treats, even though we were already full from all the love in that room. We had our last Christmas together at Dove House, one final, beautiful chapter in our family story. It’s a memory I hold so close, especially now.

What stood out the most wasn’t just the care, though that was exceptional, it was the kindness. The hugs when we needed them. The gentle words. The way they treated Sharon with dignity right until the end.

There were small, beautiful moments too, ones that still make me smile. Like when one of the doctors painted Sharon’s nails. As a chef, she’d never had the chance, but that day, she chose glittery polish, her eyes sparkling as much as her fingertips. It was such a simple gesture, but it made her feel so special.

Another time, I’d popped home briefly, and when I came back, Sharon couldn’t wait to tell me the nurses had wrapped her up warm and taken her out into the hospice gardens. She’d felt the crisp winter air on her cheeks and watched the fish in the pond. That small trip outside brought her such peace and joy.
We will never forget it.