What can we say? But agree that cancer is a cruel illness!

Cruel to the patient who endures immense pain and has to go on the roller-coaster of emotions facing the fact they are dying.

That they are leaving this world, leaving their families. Still doing their utmost to keep a brave face for their loved ones; and cruel to the family who have to watch them die in horrific way; An extremely painful way.

In 2007 my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the tongue. It was unfortunate and a hard pill to swallow for my three children and myself as my husband being the man he was refused to see the dr until the pain got too much and it was too late. We knew he was not well but never thought to what extent.

As the cancer progressed and suffering worsened, you start treading into waters you have never been in and your own fear and emotional roller-coaster begins. This is when I went to see Hospice.

I was welcomed and made to feel at ease with everything being explained to me. Which I then went home and spoke to my husband asking him if he would accept Hospice into our home. As you can imagine it was not welcomed at first but as things got worst he later agreed.

Two very cheerful ladies arrived at our home while I was at work (one a nursing sister and the other a caregiver). He was surprisingly happy to see them, invited them and insisted on making them some tea, the good old fashioned way might I add (with tea leaves). And it was from that moment that Zululand Hospice became a part of one of the hardest things we have ever had to endure and go though. It was even so that my husband looked forward to their regular visits. We all did.

We loved our two ladies from Hospice, who strangely brought normality and a sense that everything was going to be okay into our home. They knew the motions and what was going to happen next, and helped us. You don’t realise but these ladies “yes” knew how to give care to cancer patients, knew how to put them at ease. From bed sores, to morphine drips to knowing how to move him – but they also knew what we as the family where going through and did their best to help us too.

I mean I had an unfortunate car accident during this same time and was admitted into hospital for a week due to my injuries. And one night whilst I was in hospital (2am) he became extremely stressed and in a lot of pain, really having had a very bad night where my children didn’t know how to help him. So in desperation they phoned Hospice. It was not long before we heard a knock at the door and someone came immediately to help him. Proving that nothing was ever to much trouble, showing us that their support was genuine. Helping us every step of the way with compassion and care. Far surpassing all expectations.

My family and I felt so helpless at times but having Hospice there made us feel as if we could cope a little better.