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DonateStuart's Story
In November 2021, my wife of 40 years, Susie, was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer and admitted to the Oncology Ward at the hospital. After one night on the ward we decided that the best place for her was at home where we could be together and she would be the most comfortable. Only a few days later did we realise the enormity of what we had decided – we didn’t know how we were going to cope. That’s when the district nurse referred us to the team at Compton Care.
We quickly met one of the consultants who visited us at home. She was a warm, open and honest person. Medication was prescribed and a few days later we had our first visit from the team. Susie didn’t leave the house again.
The cancer moved very quickly and our visits from Compton and district nurses increased. I sat with her for up to 20 hours a day, and our daughter Lucy had leave of absence from work and spent every day at our home. What an amazing experience – we spent so much time talking about our life together as husband and wife, and as a family. We talked about the future, my future, and I was given strict instructions on living the best life I could without her.
Susie’s health continued to deteriorate very quickly and the amount of support we needed increased dramatically. I was having to call the team for help as much as two or three times a night. Imagine the feeling of fear and despair when the one you love most needs help at 3.30am – you watch as she struggles and you are so alone. Then there’s a knock at the door and the angels from Compton arrive! Words cannot describe the feeling. These beautiful, loving and generous angels take over, and peace and calm is restored for a while, until the next time.
I was prepared for the time when she passed away, quietly, without pain and with Lucy and I holding her hand. The Compton team spent time with me, explaining what was happening and what was going to happen.
I missed her and was so desperately alone, never far from tears but trying to move forward. The only way I coped was by setting targets for myself, and the top of the list was to ride Round the Wrekin for Compton Care to try to start to repay the huge debt I owed to the amazing people who had shown us so much care, love and support. When I discovered that it cost £250 for each of those visits from the ‘angels’, we decided that we wanted to fund as many visits to others who were at home, pacing in the dark and watching their loved one while waiting for their doorbell to ring.
I moved house to try to restart my life, and so started the weekly visits to the Compton shop to deliver more and more items to help raise more money for the charity. Often tearful and alone, the staff picked up my grief and offered support and occasional hugs. They cannot imagine the power of those small acts of kindness.
Five months later, Compton again joined me on my journey with the Bereavement Counselling team. This time they were there to care for me. I was initially very sceptical as the process was so painful, with a lot of tears shed. Again, what an amazing individual who listened to and supported me with a very soft touch. We explored emotions and shared conversations I couldn’t possibly have had with anyone else. Today I am in a very good place, happy in a new home, with new skills, cooking, gardening, and seriously packing an awful lot into my life. I still miss Susie so much, and also miss my special friends at Compton Care.”