Nickys Story Light Up A life 2021
Created by Nicky 2 years ago
Nicky’s husband Sandy died of cancer in 2020. In the months leading
up to his death, Sandy was an inpatient at the Hospice and Nicky was
surprised to learn about the scope of the services available to them.
“People lined the streets for Sandy’s funeral, he was involved in so
many things in the local community, he’d been president of the rugby
club, president of the curling club, president of the old Musselburgh
club and was president of Musselburgh Festival for 6 years, he was loved
by so many. We were only allowed 20 people at the funeral but it seemed
like everyone in the town came to say goodbye. I felt okay at that
point, but to let you understand, when Sandy died, it didn’t really
register. I thought I was coping but it wasn’t until a few months down
the line that I started to really go downhill.
“Sandy’s diagnosis was difficult because there were no symptoms of
cancer that we were aware of. His initial bowel screening was clear, so
we were left stunned when he visited his GP for a croaky throat and
scans showed he had bowel and lung cancer. That day they told us to go
home and live each day as if it was the last.
“When the doctor first recommended the Hospice we both assumed the
worst, because like many, we thought it was only for those nearing the
end of life, we had no idea about the scope of services they
provide. The team was incredible and enabled us to have some degree of
normality in the months leading up to Sandy’s death. They accommodated
regular trips home and went out of their way to make sure he had
whatever he needed.
“I’ll never be able to repay the Hospice for the love and kindness
they’ve shown me or for the amazing care Sandy had at the end of his
life."
“Following his death, the Hospice Chaplain, Suzie, conducted the
funeral service and hosted the interment of ashes service. When the
reality set in, things became really hard, but Suzie was there and she
kept telling me ‘We’re here for you, there’s a support network’. She
called regularly to check in and when she sensed I was struggling, put
me in touch with the counselling and complementary therapy teams.
“You do feel guilty about taking up so much of the Hospice’s
resources, I personally felt that I wanted to give something back quite
quickly, which is why I started up a Tribute Fund
and my work donated what they would have spent on Christmas cards and
postage to the Hospice. We also asked for donations in lieu of flowers
at the funeral and more recently, I registered as a volunteer gardener. I
spent a lot of time in the gardens when Sandy was being cared for so it
felt like a good fit for me; it’s the perfect place for contemplation
and I'm really looking forward to helping out in my spare time.
“This year, I’ll also be dedicating a light on the Tree of
Remembrance to Sandy. Traditionally, Christmas Day was such a big thing
for us; even though there was only two of us, we’d get up early, I’d put
the tree lights on and Sandy would make coffee, then we’d open a parcel
each. I’ve always enjoyed the build up to Christmas more than the day
itself I think! I love going to the pantomime and we’d always make a
point of going to see the Hospice tree in town, so I can’t wait to see
it shine in his memory.
“I didn’t for one minute think that the kind of support I’ve had
would ever be in place. People know about the care for patients, but
nobody realises what’s available to the people that are left behind.
I’ll never be able to repay the Hospice for the love and kindness
they’ve shown me or for the amazing care Sandy had at the end of his
life. Anyone that gets the chance of support from St Columba’s shouldn’t
be frightened to accept. I want people to know that this is probably
the best care you’ll ever get for your loved ones, so whatever you can
give, be it volunteering, donating, anything at all you think might
help, please offer it.
Share
“
I think the word I’d use for the support I’ve received is grateful. This place is brilliant.
Read more
“
“People lined the streets for Sandy’s funeral, he was involved in so
many things in the local community, he’d been president of the rugby
club, president of the curling club, president of the old Musselburgh
club and was president of Musselburgh Festival for 6 years, he was loved
by so many. We were only allowed 20 people at the funeral but it seemed
like everyone in the town came to say goodbye. I felt okay at that
point, but to let you understand, when Sandy died, it didn’t really
register. I thought I was coping but it wasn’t until a few months down
the line that I started to really go downhill.
“Sandy’s diagnosis was difficult because there were no symptoms of
cancer that we were aware of. His initial bowel screening was clear, so
we were left stunned when he visited his GP for a croaky throat and
scans showed he had bowel and lung cancer. That day they told us to go
home and live each day as if it was the last.
“When the doctor first recommended the Hospice we both assumed the
worst, because like many, we thought it was only for those nearing the
end of life, we had no idea about the scope of services they
provide. The team was incredible and enabled us to have some degree of
normality in the months leading up to Sandy’s death. They accommodated
regular trips home and went out of their way to make sure he had
whatever he needed.
“I’ll never be able to repay the Hospice for the love and kindness
they’ve shown me or for the amazing care Sandy had at the end of his
life."
“Following his death, the Hospice Chaplain, Suzie, conducted the
funeral service and hosted the interment of ashes service. When the
reality set in, things became really hard, but Suzie was there and she
kept telling me ‘We’re here for you, there’s a support network’. She
called regularly to check in and when she sensed I was struggling, put
me in touch with the counselling and complementary therapy teams.
“You do feel guilty about taking up so much of the Hospice’s
resources, I personally felt that I wanted to give something back quite
quickly, which is why I started up a Tribute Fund
and my work donated what they would have spent on Christmas cards and
postage to the Hospice. We also asked for donations in lieu of flowers
at the funeral and more recently, I registered as a volunteer gardener. I
spent a lot of time in the gardens when Sandy was being cared for so it
felt like a good fit for me; it’s the perfect place for contemplation
and I'm really looking forward to helping out in my spare time.
“This year, I’ll also be dedicating a light on the Tree of
Remembrance to Sandy. Traditionally, Christmas Day was such a big thing
for us; even though there was only two of us, we’d get up early, I’d put
the tree lights on and Sandy would make coffee, then we’d open a parcel
each. I’ve always enjoyed the build up to Christmas more than the day
itself I think! I love going to the pantomime and we’d always make a
point of going to see the Hospice tree in town, so I can’t wait to see
it shine in his memory.
“I didn’t for one minute think that the kind of support I’ve had
would ever be in place. People know about the care for patients, but
nobody realises what’s available to the people that are left behind.
I’ll never be able to repay the Hospice for the love and kindness
they’ve shown me or for the amazing care Sandy had at the end of his
life. Anyone that gets the chance of support from St Columba’s shouldn’t
be frightened to accept. I want people to know that this is probably
the best care you’ll ever get for your loved ones, so whatever you can
give, be it volunteering, donating, anything at all you think might
help, please offer it.
Share
“
I think the word I’d use for the support I’ve received is grateful. This place is brilliant.
Read more
““People lined the streets for Sandy’s funeral, he was involved in so
many things in the local community, he’d been president of the rugby
club, president of the curling club, president of the old Musselburgh
club and was president of Musselburgh Festival for 6 years, he was loved
by so many. We were only allowed 20 people at the funeral but it seemed
like everyone in the town came to say goodbye. I felt okay at that
point, but to let you understand, when Sandy died, it didn’t really
register. I thought I was coping but it wasn’t until a few months down
the line that I started to really go downhill.
“Sandy’s diagnosis was difficult because there were no symptoms of
cancer that we were aware of. His initial bowel screening was clear, so
we were left stunned when he visited his GP for a croaky throat and
scans showed he had bowel and lung cancer. That day they told us to go
home and live each day as if it was the last.
“When the doctor first recommended the Hospice we both assumed the
worst, because like many, we thought it was only for those nearing the
end of life, we had no idea about the scope of services they
provide. The team was incredible and enabled us to have some degree of
normality in the months leading up to Sandy’s death. They accommodated
regular trips home and went out of their way to make sure he had
whatever he needed.
“I’ll never be able to repay the Hospice for the love and kindness
they’ve shown me or for the amazing care Sandy had at the end of his
life."
“Following his death, the Hospice Chaplain, Suzie, conducted the
funeral service and hosted the interment of ashes service. When the
reality set in, things became really hard, but Suzie was there and she
kept telling me ‘We’re here for you, there’s a support network’. She
called regularly to check in and when she sensed I was struggling, put
me in touch with the counselling and complementary therapy teams.
“You do feel guilty about taking up so much of the Hospice’s
resources, I personally felt that I wanted to give something back quite
quickly, which is why I started up a Tribute Fund
and my work donated what they would have spent on Christmas cards and
postage to the Hospice. We also asked for donations in lieu of flowers
at the funeral and more recently, I registered as a volunteer gardener. I
spent a lot of time in the gardens when Sandy was being cared for so it
felt like a good fit for me; it’s the perfect place for contemplation
and I'm really looking forward to helping out in my spare time.
“This year, I’ll also be dedicating a light on the Tree of
Remembrance to Sandy. Traditionally, Christmas Day was such a big thing
for us; even though there was only two of us, we’d get up early, I’d put
the tree lights on and Sandy would make coffee, then we’d open a parcel
each. I’ve always enjoyed the build up to Christmas more than the day
itself I think! I love going to the pantomime and we’d always make a
point of going to see the Hospice tree in town, so I can’t wait to see
it shine in his memory.
“I didn’t for one minute think that the kind of support I’ve had
would ever be in place. People know about the care for patients, but
nobody realises what’s available to the people that are left behind.
I’ll never be able to repay the Hospice for the love and kindness
they’ve shown me or for the amazing care Sandy had at the end of his
life. Anyone that gets the chance of support from St Columba’s shouldn’t
be frightened to accept. I want people to know that this is probably
the best care you’ll ever get for your loved ones, so whatever you can
give, be it volunteering, donating, anything at all you think might
help, please offer it.
Share
“
I think the word I’d use for the support I’ve received is grateful. This place is brilliant.
Read more
“
Donate
Nicky's Story
Nicky Russell has received ongoing support from the Hospice following the death of her husband.
Share
Nicky’s husband Sandy died of cancer in 2020. In the
months leading up to his death, Sandy was an inpatient at the Hospice
and Nicky was surprised to learn about the scope of the services
available to them.
“People lined the streets for Sandy’s funeral, he was involved in so
many things in the local community, he’d been president of the rugby
club, president of the curling club, president of the old Musselburgh
club and was president of Musselburgh Festival for 6 years, he was loved
by so many. We were only allowed 20 people at the funeral but it seemed
like everyone in the town came to say goodbye. I felt okay at that
point, but to let you understand, when Sandy died, it didn’t really
register. I thought I was coping but it wasn’t until a few months down
the line that I started to really go downhill.
“Sandy’s diagnosis was difficult because there were no symptoms of
cancer that we were aware of. His initial bowel screening was clear, so
we were left stunned when he visited his GP for a croaky throat and
scans showed he had bowel and lung cancer. That day they told us to go
home and live each day as if it was the last.
“When the doctor first recommended the Hospice we both assumed the
worst, because like many, we thought it was only for those nearing the
end of life, we had no idea about the scope of services they
provide. The team was incredible and enabled us to have some degree of
normality in the months leading up to Sandy’s death. They accommodated
regular trips home and went out of their way to make sure he had
whatever he needed.
“I’ll never be able to repay the Hospice for the love and kindness
they’ve shown me or for the amazing care Sandy had at the end of his
life."
“Following his death, the Hospice Chaplain, Suzie, conducted the
funeral service and hosted the interment of ashes service. When the
reality set in, things became really hard, but Suzie was there and she
kept telling me ‘We’re here for you, there’s a support network’. She
called regularly to check in and when she sensed I was struggling, put
me in touch with the counselling and complementary therapy teams.
“You do feel guilty about taking up so much of the Hospice’s
resources, I personally felt that I wanted to give something back quite
quickly, which is why I started up a Tribute Fund
and my work donated what they would have spent on Christmas cards and
postage to the Hospice. We also asked for donations in lieu of flowers
at the funeral and more recently, I registered as a volunteer gardener. I
spent a lot of time in the gardens when Sandy was being cared for so it
felt like a good fit for me; it’s the perfect place for contemplation
and I'm really looking forward to helping out in my spare time.
“This year, I’ll also be dedicating a light on the Tree of
Remembrance to Sandy. Traditionally, Christmas Day was such a big thing
for us; even though there was only two of us, we’d get up early, I’d put
the tree lights on and Sandy would make coffee, then we’d open a parcel
each. I’ve always enjoyed the build up to Christmas more than the day
itself I think! I love going to the pantomime and we’d always make a
point of going to see the Hospice tree in town, so I can’t wait to see
it shine in his memory.
“I didn’t for one minute think that the kind of support I’ve had
would ever be in place. People know about the care for patients, but
nobody realises what’s available to the people that are left behind.
I’ll never be able to repay the Hospice for the love and kindness
they’ve shown me or for the amazing care Sandy had at the end of his
life. Anyone that gets the chance of support from St Columba’s shouldn’t
be frightened to accept. I want people to know that this is probably
the best care you’ll ever get for your loved ones, so whatever you can
give, be it volunteering, donating, anything at all you think might
help, please offer it.