A COUPLE from Bradworthy who never thought they would need to access the services of a hospice have said they are very glad there is one in their local area.

Simon and Sarah have been married for ten years. In 2013 Simon felt unwell, which was the beginning of a chain of events that led to them both being supported by North Devon Hospice’s outreach centre in Holsworthy, The Long House.

“During a meditation session I found I couldn’t close my left eye. This was diagnosed as Bell’s Palsy and I was told it would get better,” said Simon. “But it didn’t and a scan discovered a tumour in the left side of my face, which would ultimately require nine operations as well as bouts of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. About a year later I was declared fit, but unfortunately the cancer has reared up again, this time moving to my lung.”

Simon admits the diagnosis changed their world: “I thought ‘why me?’ there was no family history and I have never been ill up to that point.”

The treatment Simon is undergoing is keeping the cancer under control, but the couple knew that they would need support for the road ahead. He said: “Currently I’m holding it at bay, but at some stage I’ll gradually get worse and we didn’t want to get to a stage where I wasn’t so good and then be thinking ‘what help can we get?’

“We wanted to understand what was there and, luckily enough, we found North Devon Hospice. It’s proved tremendous for both of us. We came here not knowing what to expect. We thought it might be like sitting in a day room with a load of old people. But it’s not like that at all! It’s fun, we chat, we’re just here to have a day off and relax.”

The couple have been supported in a number of ways at the hospice’s outreach centre. This has included counselling sessions, complementary therapies and other activities.

Sarah said: “The main thing for me is that I feel supported. If things weren’t going right I could ring here rather than having to go through the doctor. Also by coming here for treatments and meeting different staff I know they would do anything to help. It’s good to know that you’re not in a leaky boat on your own, there are other people with you helping to bail out.”

The couple are very much living life to the full at the moment, with the support of the hospice: “After a day at the hospice, I do feel re-energised, rejuvenated. I know it’s a cliché, but I’ve had time to relax, time to talk to people, and after a day here I feel more alive and I think that’s what it’s all about really. I don’t have a huge bucket list to go and see the world or jump out of a plane, but we’re just living for the day and enjoying life, enjoying saying yes to things. We enjoy our life for what it is and enjoy family time together.”

Sarah admitted that the support offered by the hospice came as something of a surprise: “We didn’t think we needed a hospice, but we really do. Maybe that’s the problem with hospices, because people don’t know what they represent so it’s hard to know that you need it. But now we know, we are very glad for it! Without the hospice I’d be wondering what support is there? It’s reassuring to know you’re not the only person in this area who is going through the same thing. There are people from all walks of life who have been affected by cancer. At the hospice there is always someone to scoop you up if you have a meltdown, and all the staff seem to have so much experience of how you will be feeling, it is very special.”

North Devon Hospice cares for those facing a life-limiting illness, no matter at what stage the illness is. The hospice is here for all the family, providing care and support to patients but also being there for loved ones. All care is provided completely free of charge. To find out more about the services offered by North Devon Hospice’s The Long House visit northdevonhospice.org.uk