In January 2021, Sarah Jones was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, aged 49. Despite treatment, Sarah was given the news that her condition had become terminal, and she moved to St Oswald’s Hospice for end-of-life care.
Dee, Sarah’s mum, said, “The hospice was an absolute godsend. During the most difficult time, the staff calmed and cared for Sarah so well.”
Sarah was admitted to the St Oswald’s Hospice in November 2022, when care at home became unsustainable. Medical opinion felt that she needed more support, so when the opportunity came for Sarah to move into the hospice, it was so appreciated and welcomed by all.”
Dee remembers, “St Oswald’s provides much more specialist care. Sarah needed that. The holistic approach meant Sarah, and the family and friends supporting her, were able to accept the situation far better with the care and expertise from all the staff.”
Mum to three children, Sarah was often described as the ‘life and soul’, with a real gift for getting to know people and bringing people together.
Outside of her work as a nurse, and later a health visitor, Sarah enjoyed being a member of a local book club, attending the gym and playing squash, but more importantly than her social life, her children were her world.
Dee remembers Janice, a nurse who had formed a close bond with Sarah, commenting, “She was mesmerised at the range of bath oils Sarah had. Sarah really loved a bubble bath and was in seventh heaven when enjoying time in the spa bath. It really made her happy and would not have been possible without the support of Janice and other members of staff.”
As Sarah’s health declined, she expressed a wish to be at home for one last Christmas. In December 2022, her wish came true and she was able to be at home for a couple of weeks with her family before returning to the hospice in January.
A few short weeks later, Sarah died.
When reflecting on the impact of hospice care during this time, Dee said, “St Oswald’s Hospice looked after Sarah’s every need including mental health support and Lymphoedema care following the side effects of treatment.
What we didn’t expect were the personal touches: the chef, Ryan, coming to ask what Sarah would most like to eat so the kitchen could prepare it for her; the staff saying yes to a visit from Sarah’s dog, Crombie; an extra bed being moved into Sarah’s room to enable me to sleep over with her and even getting to enjoy a glass of wine.
It is not a sad place. It is a dignified and happy place, and I am eternally grateful that Sarah was able to spend her final weeks here, in this lovely supportive environment. Thank you to all the staff.”
Could you pledge to support St Oswald’s Hospice?
Dee, Sarah’s mum, has chosen to leave a gift in her Will to St Oswald’s Hospice. Gifts like this, no matter the size, help secure the future of the Hospice, meaning we can continue to deliver our range of care services to all who need them across the North East.
Whether you need to update an existing Will or write a new one from scratch, we can support you with our free Will writing services. Learn more here.
