A Place Where I Can Be Me!
Trish Davies has been coming to Day Stay for nearly a year. A very outgoing bubbly person, Trish asked her nurse if there was anything she could do to get away from home during the day to give both herself and her husband a break. The Hospice Day Stay programme was the answer.
Trish says “ I love coming here, the people are really lovely to everyone. You are part of the family but you are not made to feel as if you have to come. It is lovely to be here because of the way you are treated, you are made to feel so welcome.”
Day Stay is like a group of friends getting together, a bit like a coffee group. Patients and staff become very fond of one another and interested in what everyone is doing. Patients come to Day Stay for many reasons including companionship and respite for families and caregivers. “ I love company” says Trish “ We have lots of laughs which is what people like us need. When you are sick as we are, we need people to talk to. Staff and volunteers are always on hand to accommodate our needs and any needs involving the family.”
Activities include bowling, crafts, relaxation exercises, massage and much more. Trish says “ Haircuts are great too, not because they are free but it makes me feel good as does the Reiki and massage”. Trish says she really likes the discussion time because everyone is very different “ craft has never been my thing because I have always been an active person. Recently we also enjoyed a day with a Swiss theme and traditional Swiss food”.
A variety of speakers who come to Day Stay encourage patients to search within themselves, says Trish. “ One thing I had always wanted to do was a Nanny course. Recently a speaker came from a refugee centre which really made me think. Things like that help me remember that while I have a terminal illness there are always people worse off than me”.
Trish hasn’t had an easy life. Not only does Trish have a terminal illness, she has had a very tough road to follow all her life. Trish often asks herself “ Why me ? “ but through all her adversity Trish remains positive, interested in others and is kind and generous.
Trish says “ I have a lot of love to give, because I didn’t have love as a child I want to give and bring everybody together. Even though I am dying with cancer, I still want to spread that love “. Trish says she feels honoured to be interviewed for the newsletter.
“At Day Stay you are able to express yourself, your opinion counts, patients are treated like individuals.” Trish says she still manages to get out a bit but for some patients Day Stay may be all they can manage so it changes their world, especially those too sick to drive.
Day Stay brings people into Hospice in a non threatening way. Patients can talk about their illness but it is not a focal point, if you don’t want to talk about it you don’t have to. It also allows patients to use the other services within the Hospice as it is a place that offers advice as well as friendship.
“The volunteers are absolutely awesome, they really make your day” says Trish, Hospice provides volunteer drivers who pick up patients and take them to and from Day Stay, this takes pressure off families. Volunteers also provide morning tea and lunch, sit with the patients, talk with them and help with crafts and other activities.
Janine Fletcher, a registered nurse is supported by the hospice volunteers. Janine has been running the Day Stay programme for the past five years. A refurbishment of the Day Stay and Ambulatory Care facility is currently under construction and patients can look forward to a brand new look in the new year. Janine says “ I am enriched by the people I come into contact with – culturally, spiritually and emotionally.”
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