"I feel as if I am in a holiday camp"

Early in April l was admitted to Hairmyres Hospital with a blockage in my bowel, this was my 3rd blockage but this time nothing could be done due to other health problems. I was brought out to Saint Andrews Hospice, l was told in hospital l was coming here to die. l had been given the Last Rites in the hospital so l did not know what to expect when l arrived.

By the time l got here l had been half an hour in the back of an ambulance and was literally praying to die. l  seemed to go round loads of corridors, could hear a baby crying, people talking and even the sound of people laughing. l thought l was in the wrong place as l thought it would be like a library, 'shh', no talking, how wrong was I! l was brought into my room and put into a bed not like the uncomfy hospital bed. Then 2 doctors started  talking to me, l wasn't sure of this strange place where everybody seemed so cheerful and acting  'normal', not like the hospital l had left. What was so cheery about everybody in the place dying! How wrong could one be.

It is now 6 weeks later and l am sitting on my big leather armchair in 'my room' and how wrong has my opinion been of a hospice, l feel as if l am in Butlins holiday camp. Nothing is a bother to all the staff, from the nurses to June, my personal reflexologist, to Sister Catherine and the priests who come to take Mass in the lovely Chapel Mon, Wed, and Fri, and all the kind helpers who give up their precious time.

Now back to the nurses and doctors, many thanks, l have been in and out of hospital since l was 21 and am now in my 70s and Lord have Mercy, l have never felt so much love and kindness from anywhere like this. If you have a daughter, husband or partner who works here, you should be very proud. Also not to leave out the lovely domestics who have the thankless task of keeping this place spotless, you could eat you dinner off the floor. Also the kitchen staff for the lovely home cooking, and last but not least is the gardener with his lovely dog Alfie who both keep the grounds beautiful.

l am still here and with all these people looking after me l hope l will soon be back to my new self. Thanks everybody xxx