Mal’s story
Mal accessed a range of support and services from Blythe House Hospice’s after a battle of health issues over the years.
‘Blythe House has saved my life in more ways than one’
John Keegan, better known as Mal, is no stranger to life’s challenges. Originally from Liverpool, he has led a rich and varied life – joining the Norwegian Merchant Navy at just 16 and sailing the seas for five years, before marrying and moving to Canada. Later, his career in sales saw him work as a sales director for both cars and satellite TVs. But despite a successful career and lifestyle, life threw Mal more than a few curveballs.
During his time living in New Zealand in 2001, Mal suffered a heart attack whilst out playing golf with friends: ‘My mate asked why I was rubbing my chest, and I just laughed and said, “I think I’m having a heart attack.” After the eighth hole, I had a beer from the cooler and the pain eased. But the next day, it came back during a meeting – and that’s when I knew something was really wrong.’
Mal needed surgery, and that was just the beginning of a long list of health challenges: three spinal operations, skin cancer, pneumonia, a gangrenous gall bladder – and eventually, a weakened heart.
After returning to the UK, Mal lived in several parts of Greater Manchester before settling in New Mills. It was here, many years later, that he faced one of his toughest battles yet – a diagnosis of long Covid, which came after a two-week hospital stay for serious breathing difficulties.
Mal explained: ‘I was having a terrible time and picking up all kinds of stuff as I don’t have an immune system anymore – I think it has left home. I ended up on antibiotics and steroids for an infection that just wouldn’t go away.
‘It took so much out of me – I had a chest infection, fluid on my lungs – and that’s how I ended up with Blythe House Hospice. The respiratory team visited me for six weeks after I came out of hospital, alongside the heart failure nurses, and they were the ones who referred me.’
At first, Mal wasn’t sure what to expect: ‘When the heart failure nurse mentioned the hospice, I said “Is that it for me then?” – because I thought the hospice was somewhere people come to die. She looked shocked. But what I found at Blythe House was completely different.’
During one particular visit to the hospice, Mal was feeling especially low: ‘I didn’t want to chat. I was absolutely exhausted because I also have sleep apnoea. All I could see was doom – I just kept thinking, “what’s the point?” I was so emotional. I was going downhill, and the hill never ended. It was a very bumpy road. Tears were literally flowing down my face; I couldn’t stop them – it was like a burst pipe.’
Emma, one of the hospice nurses, walked through the hospice garden whilst Mal was crying: ‘I’d stepped outside into the garden and she walked by and asked if I was OK. We got chatting and I said: “At night, I pray I don’t wake up.” She didn’t judge me. She just listened. She asked for permission to speak to my doctor, and she also made some referrals to Blythe House services. She referred me to Kate, complementary therapy coordinator, for reflexology. I had six sessions and it was absolutely amazing. After the first session, I went to bed without my sleep apnea CPAP machine for the first time in a very long time.’
Mal was also invited to join the FAB course – a seven-week programme for people with fatigue, anxiety and breathlessness, designed to give them practical tools and strategies to manage their symptoms: ‘FAB without a doubt was absolutely brilliant; I would recommend it to absolutely anybody. The staff just go above and beyond; they are so attentive and caring. Every one of them was brilliant from the very first day. If you can’t breathe, anxiety kicks in – there’s nothing worse. It feels like you’re drowning.’
Mal, who also lives with cerebellar ataxia – a neurological condition affecting balance and coordination (his neighbours affectionately call him ‘Wobbly Bob’) – is keen to share his story to raise awareness about the hospice’s true purpose: ‘My long Covid doctor told me to stay with Blythe House – he said I’d get more out of them than I would from the NHS. Now that’s an endorsement!
‘I have so much vitality and energy that I didn’t have before. Blythe House has saved my life in more ways than one. It’s magical – that’s the only way I can describe it.’
Now, Mal attends the hospice’s Thursday afternoon peer support group, where patients can meet others, share stories and support, take part in games, crafts and activities.
Thanks to a hospice volunteer driver, Mal is able to attend weekly sessions: ‘They come and pick me up and take me to different sessions at the hospice. Without that, I wouldn’t be able to come.’
And true to his nature, Mal is already helping others: ‘My neighbour suffers from fatigue, anxiety and breathlessness due to a life-limiting illness, and I said “You must ring Blythe House!” – he’s now going to come.’
Find out more about the FAB course
