Cliff’s Story – supported by Phyllis Tuckwell

“You get the most wonderful feeling when you go to the Hospice,” says Cliff, one of our Living Well patients, and his wife Janet agrees. “It’s a warm, cheerful, caring, happy place. You come away with a warm glow.”

Cliff served in the Army for 35 years, in the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), who are responsible for maintaining and repairing Army equipment. “As I was a serving soldier, it meant I was kept fit and healthy. I never smoked, so it was quite a shock to be diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) about 10 years ago.”

Cliff’s was referred to Phyllis Tuckwell by his Respiratory team. “I must admit when I heard that my first thought was ‘that’s my lot, then’ – I thought you go there to die. How wrong I was! From the minute you walk into the reception at the Hospice you are greeted with smiling, cheery faces. There’s no doom and gloom anywhere!”

Cliff was referred to our Living Well team and joined our Living Well with Illness programme. Our Living Well team cares for patients who are living everyday life with an advanced illness, helping them to cope with their symptoms and remain as independent as possible.

“They put so much effort into the sessions. I really enjoy the different experiences which are offered there. At each session there’s something different to do. I also enjoy meeting other people in a similar situation; it’s made me assess my life in a different way.”

Cliff and Janet were also offered psychological support, to help them cope emotionally with Cliff’s illness. “Our meetings with Liz the psychologist made such a difference to us. Talking about our fears and problems made us realise that life can still go on, just at a slower pace. Our buckets are half-full – not half-empty as we had thought!”

Our Occupational Therapy (OT) team have also supported Cliff, helping him to maintain as much independence as possible and manage daily activities. The team can supply patients with equipment such as perching stools for the kitchen, for patients to sit on whilst preparing meals, and shower stools. They can also teach patients strategies to help them manage symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue, optimising their independence and improving their quality of life.

“The OT team have helped me tremendously. I’ve gone from thinking ‘I can’t do that’ to ‘yes I can!’ The nursing staff are amazing too, there on the end of the phone if you need them. Things have got so bad at times that we have had to ring them, and we’ve really appreciated those kind, calm nurses who have answered our calls when we’ve been at the end of our tether, especially at night or at the weekend. Dr Helen has been particularly wonderful; her calm, practical advice to us has been invaluable. She has organised appointments and medication for me, and most of all she’s given us the confidence to realise that it’s not the end just yet! No, there’s definitely no doom and gloom at Phyllis Tuckwell!”