ehospice is pleased to share a special collection of photographs from Ashgate Hospice that tell real stories about death and dying. These images, captured by the talented Billy Bye, offer a look at the experiences of our patients, as well as the incredible staff and volunteers who support them.
Talking about death and dying can be tough and even a bit uncomfortable. It’s a topic many of us prefer to avoid, but it’s so important to face it openly and honestly.
With Life’s Final Chapter, we’re inviting you into a special collection of photographs that tell real stories about death and dying. .
The photos are accompanied by the personal stories of those featured, providing a deeper understanding of the joys and challenges that come with life’s final chapter. Through their generous participation, our patients, families, and team members have allowed us to share a rare glimpse into what it means to live fully, even as life draws to a close.
——————-
Here we meet Lung Li, Amy Marsh and Kathy Martin
“It’s been on hard on other people, especially for my family. I’ve got younger children, my youngest boy is seven and then I’ve got a daughter that’s 10, and a daughter who is 13.
“They’re taking it really hard because they don’t understand what’s happening with their father and seeing me like this. It’s been pretty hard for them.
“You have to be open with them – you can’t lie to children. We did tell them ages ago that I was going to get more poorly and be in hospital more.
“I had to tell them that I’m at the point in my life where the next stage is death. My 13-year-old took that really hard.
“I nearly died about a month ago because I got an infection and all the family got called up and I couldn’t remember anything.
“You need to stay as positive as you can. It’s the way you are as a person – that’s the way I am as a person. We’re all on a journey and that journey: birth, life and then you die – everybody is going to go through that, it doesn’t matter who you are.
“This is my journey. I think it’s better this way, my wife and children can all prepare for it, but if you go out and have a car crash, how hard is that on your family? I do think it’s better that they can prepare for my death.”
Since these photos were taken, we are saddened to share that Lung has died. We are honoured to have shared his story.
“My experiences of death as a hospice nurse have helped me to appreciate life more than ever. I now feel incredibly lucky to have the things that I have. Life is precious and should be celebrated as much as possible.
“I also feel humbled when I think about death because it makes me question the priorities in my life, whilst making me consider if the things I worry about are worth the time.
“I feel so lucky to be living the life I have. I’ve found this has been the biggest change for me since I started caring for patients at the end of their life at the hospice. I really do have so much to be grateful for.
“I don’t hold a grudge and I don’t want to be spending time having arguments with people. Life is too precious to be arguing.”
“When faced with one’s own mortality life itself takes on a different meaning. You come to appreciate small things like buds sprouting in the garden, a kind word from friends, the kindness of the postman – the list is endless. All more noticeable and dearer as I approach the end of life. I’m sad that it will be over so soon and the mind races to feelings that I should have done more.
“Having to tell dear friends can be heart aching watching their responses – friends are especially dear to me having no family. The smallest gesture once would have meant little but now means so much.
“I have become closer to some friends and I to them, and I am much more open about the fears I experience. My listening skills have also improved, and I really want to know about other’s problems and how I can help. I have become so much more caring and concerned.
“My experiences have helped me learn to love every moment of night and day as time has become so very precious. For me death in this life means life in the next. My faith and trust in God have carried me through all my health problems with various cancers.
“Now I find myself at peace and unafraid of my approaching death. Albeit I hope I live as long as possible as we have been given the most wonderful world to enjoy.”
Leave a Reply