Friday 10 February 2012
Facebook
Twitter
You Tube
And the horse came to...
31 March 2010
What do you think a horse called Moose and Sue Ryder _ Nettlebed Hospice have in common? Well both played an important part in the life of Ian and Kathryn White. Ian and his wife were keen horse riders and when Ian was admitted to the hospice special arrangements were made for Moose to pay Ian a visit. As Kathryn explained "It is typical of the attention to detail that is given to patients and their families.”
Ian, aged 41, fell ill in February 2008 and was quickly diagnosed as having a very aggressive form of brain tumour. His condition quickly deteriorated to the point where he was unable to start the treatment plan. When Ian’s seizures became too frequent for care at home he was admitted into hospital but after only a short stay admission to a hospice was suggested. Kathryn explained how they were given a choice of two but chose Sue Ryder because of its location and reputation.
Kathryn explained, “when moving to a hospice was mentioned I was very frightened, I had no concept of what would happen.” To anyone faced with the same situation Kathryn now says her attitude has completely changed. Based on the experiences of herself and Ian,she would now say, “Don’t be frightened, although the staff cannot change the eventual outcome, they can do so much to improve your loved one's remaining life. They provide comfort and support for their family as well.”
For Kathryn the most impressive and important thing to happen, apart from the visit by Moose, was “within the first 24 hours the medical team had made Ian’s life pain free, the first time in weeks” Kathryn is also grateful that she was allowed to stay with Ian day and night “for his entire stay.” She continued “ The hospice staff were fantastic, Ian could not have received better care. There is always someone there for you .
Kathryn is keen to stress that the care was not just for Ian. “We were both helped so much, indeed other visitors as well were treated as someone special. The nurses seem to sense when to intervene, when to help. “It may start with the friendly invitation to “have a chat” but they were always so supportive.” She could not get over “How the care was almost one to one. You only have to press the call button and someone is there.”
One added bonus for Ian and his family was the surroundings of Nettlebed. As horse lovers Ian and Kathryn loved the countryside and “that hospice is in an idyllic setting.”
After 18 years together Kathryn admits “Nothing in life prepares you for losing the people who mean the most to you, especially at such a young age but I am determined to ensure some good comes out of this.” Kathryn and Ian’s family are now keen supporters of the hospice. Everyone at Nettlebed certainly remembers Ian, Kathryn and a horse called Moose!