"Amazing compassion for a terminally ill couple"

Earlier this year my mother and father in law were both seriously poorly in East Surrey at the same time. Mother in law with terminal breast cancer which unfortunately left her unable to keep any food down and left her very weak and dehydrated. My father in law was a shock he was admitted via ambulance seriously unwell unable to breathe, he was treated in resus and then on AMU where it became clear how poorly he was. He underwent and emergency tracheostomy and spent along time in ITU and HDU. For the family it was a truly difficult time.

We soon realised that they were both in terminal and very serious conditions. What amazed us was from day one the staff without ever being asked most days managed to get Them together for visits always assessing who was safer to move. They had very little time left together and the staff made these precious visits happen. They had been married for 50 years... and had always been together. Mother in Law was ready to go home but still struggled with sickness so was decided to go to the hospice for a period on the hope that we eventually got her home where she wanted to die.

For the family we believed now it would be a lot harder to get them together but again the staff went above and beyond. He made many precious visits to the hospice. This involved loosing staff off the unit a lot of planning, medical equipment and transport. These visits were so precious. She soon made it home where the visits from itu continued, father in law came home he was even able to be alone with his wife when she sadly passed away with him holding her hand. Merv was amazing that day.

We sadly lost our father in law a few weeks later but without all the staff and their compassion for our family these difficult and treasured times would not have been possible. There are so many staff that knew him, Charlotte, Harriet, Merv, Jackie and Anita from Brook. Angie and Dan who took him on his visits. People are so quick to complain but unfortunately no one could save them but they had time together. Our family were held together. And we’re allowed to cry and a hug was always available when needed. We can never thank you enough.