Hospice helped us to create lasting memories with Alan

Sue Baker’s husband, Alan, aged 66, was fit and well, enjoying retirement and his passions of golf and watching Manchester City FC, before a routine bowel screening changed his and his family’s lives forever. Alan was diagnosed with a grade one tumour which was removed and treated with chemotherapy. 18 months later, Sue and Alan received the devastating call that the cancer had spread. Despite more chemotherapy and a stent, the family were told there was nothing else the doctors could do and in June 2023, Alan came to Dr Kershaw’s Hospice. Before Alan sadly passed away on 29th July, the couple made many precious memories facilitated by the Hospice Team…

“Alan and I had been together for 48 years and married for 45 years, with one daughter, Sarah, and two grandchildren, Henry and Hugo. He had retired at 57, and before that he worked for the Daily Mirror for over 20 years on their production site in Hollinwood.

Alan’s great passion was Manchester City FC and he had supported the club since his childhood – following the Blues all over the country and to Wembley. Alan loved spending time with his grandchildren, and since retiring he looked after our youngest grandson, Hugo, for 2 days a week and would pick our eldest grandson, Henry up from school most evenings. He was an avid golfer and would often take Henry with him, even buying him a set of his own children’s golf clubs.

When Alan’s routine bowel screening came back with a tumour we were shell-shocked. He was fit and well, playing golf and had no symptoms. He had the tumour removed and started chemotherapy, and we thought all had gone well until we received the phone call just before Christmas, that the cancer had spread. There was more chemo if he wanted it, but more or less that was that and six months later we made the heart-breaking decision that it was time for Alan to be cared for in a Hospice.

We didn’t know what to expect, but Dr Kershaw’s was just incredible. The care was from another world, and the support for us was amazing. We used to stay over in the relatives’ room, which made it easier to be close to Alan, and we felt as though we were able to spend every minute of the day with him.

On 1st July, we celebrated our 45th Wedding Anniversary at Dr Kershaw’s, Alan was wheeled in by the Nursing Team with a red rose in his hand, and we were brought a lovely afternoon tea with prosecco and baileys.

The Hospice Team also supported us with a visit from Manchester City FC, who presented their treble trophies to Alan alongside our family and friends. On the morning the trophies came he’d normally be fast asleep, but he woke up with a smile and high spirits, singing City songs. The nurses encouraged him and got him ready in his City shirt. City were a massive part of his life, so it was just incredible and a very emotional day. The first time they had won the treble, and Alan had been able to see the trophies! I didn’t think places like Dr Kershaw’s existed and can’t speak highly enough about the team who cared for Alan and helped to create lasting memories for us.

Before Alan died, they made him so comfortable and we were there by his side. We spent time with him after he had gone, and then the nurses got him ready with a lovely spray of flowers and placed two hearts on his chest, one to go with him and one for me to keep. Those extra touches meant so much, and we were able to spend as much time with him without feeling rushed. Alan spent four and a half weeks at Dr Kershaw’s which is a long time to be in a Hospice. The nurses became our extended family, they were wonderful in their care for Alan, and support of our family, and they too felt the loss and the absence of us all.

Sarah, our daughter, did the Manchester to Blackpool bike ride last year whilst Alan was being cared for at Dr Kershaw’s and raised almost £4,000 for the Hospice. She will be doing it again this year, to give back to the Hospice Team who went above and beyond for us, they truly are earth angels.”