Audrey’s story
Audrey Bramah has been a supporter of Blythe House Hospice from the very start
‘Kindness shines through when you come through that door. I think I used to take that for granted when I was here as a volunteer’
Audrey Bramah has been a supporter of Blythe House Hospice from the very start, something that continues, by attending events, donating prizes and giving her backing in any way she can.
‘Betty Packham was a special friend and Vicar at my local church, I used to sell raffle tickets when it was just an idea in Betty’s head,’ she explained.
Over the years Audrey has volunteered in nearly all the hospice shops and from 2015 until Covid, she was a volunteer at Living Well, one of the groups that was held at the hospice.
Little did Audrey know, just how valuable Blythe House Hospice would be to her and her husband Allan.
It was only 12 months ago, in autumn 2023 that the couple from Chinley, were told during a visit to a consultant at Wythenshawe Hospital’s lung department that Allan had Pulmonary Fibrosis. ‘‘He then told us that Allan had three years to live.’
‘It was devastating he was always such a healthy man, playing football when he was younger, and he enjoyed crown green bowls.’
‘He had been out of breath, but he had a heart murmur plus spinal stenosis, so we thought that was the reason for his breathlessness.
‘The diagnosis was devastating, we were both devastated it would have been our diamond wedding anniversary in March next year, we thought at least we will still be able to celebrate that.
‘We had been saving up and wanted to do something special.’
A chef throughout his working life, Allan met Audrey while they were both working at the Grand Hotel in Manchester. ‘He was a second chef, and I worked in the wages office,’ explained Audrey.
Allan went on to be head chef at the Executive Suite at Manchester United, before the couple, who have two sons and a granddaughter, ran their own restaurant in Chinley for 15 years before retiring.
‘We were a good team, Allan and I, he would do anything for anyone.’
It was earlier this year after Allan’s doctor recommended another lung function test, the couple realised the severity of his condition.
They went to Chesterfield for the test, to check Allan’s breathing. ‘They couldn’t do it as his oxygen levels were too low. It was the first time we had heard oxygen mentioned.’
Vital help for dealing with Allan’s condition came after Audrey visited Blythe House Hospice. ‘I came to the coffee morning and saw a leaflet for FAB and asked a member of staff what it was.’
Lee Martin running the Wilmslow Half Marathon
FAB is a 12-week course for people with two of the three symptoms, fatigue, anxiety and breathlessness.
‘We got him on the course here, and Karen and Emma were just wonderful, and Louise of course.’
‘It gave him a bit of independence doing something on his own, I had a friend drive him and drop him off.
‘It also meant I had a couple of hours to myself, if I needed it, while he was there. He loved it, absolutely loved it, he would tell me things that had happened.’
Allan was also able to access the physiotherapy and occupational therapy. ‘We didn’t have the services for long, but they did help. We also had someone come and sit with him when I went shopping.
‘It is just a lifeline this place, it is like a warm hug when you walk in it really is. It sounds corny but it certainly is.’
As Allan’s health continued to deteriorate the Roaming Car service was able to help the couple. ‘The Roaming Car is so important, they came at 4am in the morning we were so distressed, and they were able to help.
‘The district nurses came later that day, but they were such a comfort in the early hours those two girls, even though we (the family) didn’t know he was going to die that day.’
Allan died at home on July 15th with his family by his side. The high regard felt for Allan in the local community was demonstrated with the family receiving 180 cards.
However, the suddenness of Allan’s passing was something Audrey found incredibly difficult. ‘I couldn’t get closure, and I had some support from Emma Richards, and she taught me some breathing techniques, which were helpful. Every one of them here is amazing, the girls are so dedicated.
‘Kindness shines through when you come through that door. I used to take that for granted when I was a volunteer.’
If you have been affected by cancer or any other life-limiting illness and live in North Derbyshire please get in touch with our team.
