‘I will be thankful forever for Blythe House Hospice they have been so amazing,’ says Alison Martin after the team at Blythe House supported her and husband Jim since 2018 when Jim’s cancer had spread to his bones.
Ali from New Mills and her beloved husband Jim were together for over 50 years and have two sons and four amazing grandchildren.
After Jim was diagnosed with prostate cancer back in 2003 the intrepid couple did not let his cancer diagnosis stop them travelling the world and enjoying holidays, cruises, and safaris across the globe. ‘It was what we lived for,’ explained Ali, ‘and we were fortunate enough to do it. Jim had always wanted to travel on the Rocky Mountaineer train, and we did that following an Alaskan cruise.’
The couple’s first experience of Blythe House Hospice came in 2018 when it was discovered that Jim’s cancer had spread to his bones.
Following initial conversations with nurse Emma Richards, Jim was able to access a range of services from the hospice including physiotherapy and acupuncture as well as peer support sessions.
Jim was also able to see Dr Sarah Parnacott in her out-patient clinic at the hospice. Dr Sarah Parnacott immediately spotted that Jim was uncomfortable and was able to change his medication which helped provide immediate relief for his pain.
Jim’s health later took a further turn. “He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s just over two years ago and in many ways the Alzheimer’s was worse than the cancer,” explained Ali.
The team at Blythe House supported Jim, providing counselling as he struggled to come to terms with the Alzheimer’s diagnosis and practical support to enable Ali to keep working.
‘I worked on a Wednesday and every week a volunteer from Hospice at Home would come and care for Jim so I could go to work. Hospice at Home has been amazing. In particularly Jude, Penny, and Danni.
‘The volunteers came in every Wednesday afternoon and Jim particularly loved talking football and fishing with Tony.
‘Everyone who met Jim thought the world of him.’
Even as Jim’s health deteriorated with Ali’s support the holidays continued,
mainly in the UK although they did manage to get back to Jim’s ‘happy place’ in Tenerife.
During this time Ali and Jim also continued to receive care and support from Dr Parnacott where Ali was able to speak regularly with Dr Parnacott about Jim.
During the last year of Jim’s life, he was admitted to hospital seven times, and it was Dr Parnacott that broke the news to Ali just how poorly Jim was although for Ali it never really sunk in.
‘He had it for 20 years and always bounced back,’ explained Ali.
Like Jim, Ali was at first reluctant to access the services at Blythe House. ‘I refused every bit of help as I was in the caring profession and don’t like getting help for myself.
‘I did agree to see Emma Richards, the nurse at Blythe House and had a few complementary sessions of reflexology with Kate. Ali also attended a carers group. ‘It was really good to speak to other people in the same situation. I didn’t think I needed help, but I enjoyed it when I came.’
Speaking in 2020 Jim said the hospice was ‘certainly not a “last chance saloon”’ and that he would ‘recommend it to anyone.’
That is a sentiment echoed today by Ali, ‘Blythe House Hospice has simply been our rock they have been absolutely amazing.’
Jim, passed away in January at home as he wanted, surrounded by his loving family.
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.
