When 89-year-old Chris arrived at St Oswald’s Hospice for Lymphoedema treatment, he didn’t expect the specialist care and support that would restore his comfort, confidence and quality of life.
To mark Lymphoedema Awareness Month this March, St Oswald’s Hospice is sharing Chris’s story to raise awareness of St Oswald’s Hospice Lymphoedema Service – which helps people live well with this long-term condition that causes severe swelling and discomfort.
Lymphoedema can have a significant impact on mobility, independence and day-to-day life. Specialist assessment, treatment and ongoing support are available across the North East through the Lymphoedema Service at St Oswald’s Hospice and 3 outreach clinics.
For Chris, that support came at a time when painful swelling in both legs was beginning to make everyday tasks increasingly difficult. He was referred to the service in 2019 and has since received ongoing specialist care, including compression bandaging, skincare advice and practical support to help him manage his condition.
But for Chris, it’s not only the specialist treatment that has made a difference – it’s the kindness and personal moments that have stayed with him.
During summer 2025, Chris was attending the hospice daily for treatment following a flare-up of his lymphoedema. Over those appointments, he often chatted with the team about his love of fish and chips. Wanting to do something special, the team worked with the Hospice’s Catering and Transport teams – bringing Chris in a little earlier than usual – to surprise him with freshly cooked fish and chips during one of his visits
He laughed:
“I always joke that fish and chips is ‘rich man’s food’ these days – so when the team surprised me, it meant such a lot. It made me feel really cared for.”
Kath Clark, Matron of Day Services at St Oswald’s Hospice, said:
“Lymphoedema can affect every part of someone’s life. Alongside specialist treatment, our focus is on supporting the whole person – helping people feel more comfortable, confident and able to manage everyday life.
That includes listening to what matters to each individual and tailoring care to support their independence, dignity and quality of life. In Chris’s case, that meant recognising the importance of small personal touches too – such as organising his favourite fish and chips lunch – alongside his ongoing clinical care.”
St Oswald’s Hospice supports patients across the North East through its specialist Lymphoedema Service. In 2024-2025, 2,646 individual patients accessed the service.
By sharing Chris’s story this Lymphoedema Awareness Month, the Hospice hopes to challenge misconceptions about hospice care and encourage people to seek specialist support earlier.
For more information about St Oswald’s Hospice Lymphoedema Service, click here.
