"This kindness means so much to our family"

My mum has terminal cancer, the district nurses are in daily to replenish the syringe driver, after discharge from hospital, two weeks ago. All the nurses have been so warm and friendly, putting us at ease and making the transition to home care as smooth as possible. They have answered all questions we have had and guided us to the necessary avenues when additional help has been needed.

Mum had been relatively well since coming home, in good spirits and enjoying visits from close friends and family. While mostly bed bound, we were managing to bring her out to the bathroom. However, she was overcome with extreme weakness, unable to get out of bed at all. Initially, we (her family) believed this was a deterioration due to cancer. Our district nurse did not agree because the decline was so rapid. She reassured us that this should be investigated before confirming our fears and reached out to our GP surgery to arrange some blood tests. These tests showed a very low haemoglobin level and we are currently working with the GP to arrange a blood transfusion.

Margaruite has given us this option to make what time mum has left as comfortable and the best quality that is possible and we are so so thankful for her input and support, not just in this instance but the recent weeks at a very tough time in our lives. This kindness means so much to our family and the district nursing team as a whole genuinely go above and beyond on a daily basis and are a credit to the the Southern Trust. We cannot express our gratitude enough.