‘St Giles made Chris’s final wish come true’
Newly-wed and looking forward to growing old together, thirtysomethings Chris and Claire Fudge had everything to live for.
But just five months into their marriage, their world came crashing down around them when Chris was told he had, at best, just three years to live.
When it was clear nothing was going to save him from the brain tumour, Chris came to accept the situation, and told his wife that, above all, he wanted to spend his final days in their marital home.
Hospice News spoke to Claire about how St Giles’ Hospice at Home service ensured her husband’s wish was fulfilled – and helped her to cope with her tragic loss.
“If it hadn’t been for the Hospice at Home team I don’t know how we would have coped.”
“You can’t imagine what it is like until you have been through it and, even now, I can’t begin to think how other people deal with their loved ones passing away through illness – but knowing that St Giles Hospice is available makes a huge difference.”
It’s been two years since Chris died from a brain tumour at the age of just 39. Two years for his wife Claire to reflect on the days she spent by her husband’s side as he slowly slipped away.
While the feelings of pain and sorrow are still intense for Claire, the 34-year-old former journalist is able to draw comfort from the help she and Chris received from St Giles’ Hospice at Home service.
The Hospice at Home team provided practical nursing support to enable Chris to receive St Giles’ high-quality care in the comfortable and familiar surroundings of his Tamworth home, the place he was determined to remain during his last days.
“I was most scared that I wouldn’t know what to do when he got really ill and that I wouldn’t be able to do a good job of caring for him,” says Claire.
“It was only thanks to St Giles and their support that I felt comfortable enough to look after Chris myself.
8 01543 432 031 •
www.stgileshospice.com •
mail@st-giles-hospice.org.uk
Claire and Chris shared many happy memories before his death at the age of only 39
HOSPICE NEWS
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