The Full Service. Ron and wife Doe told us all about their hospice experience

Ron and Doe with Ward sister Mandie and HCA Nicky

Rest In Peace, Ron.

Ron was coming to the hospice for just over two years. He actually experienced most of the hospice services, from outpatients, through our Wellbeing Centre, patient and family services and our inpatients ward.

Accompanied a lot by wife Doreen, Doe, he’d told us that as soon as he entered the hospice he felt immediately ‘at ease.’

It was a great way for him to describe it because when he was first offered the opportunity he admitted to feeling a little apprehensive. He had told a number of people,

“I wasn’t sure what being referred to the hospice might mean.

My first appointment at outpatients was with hospice doctor, Susan, and she was warm, welcoming and explained things so calmly. 

Ron taking a bit of shade in Lanzarote

After a little chat getting to know me and how my pulmonary fibrosis* was progressing, it had worsened, we agreed on medications and maybe other therapies that might help.”

*Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease where small cells in the lungs become scarred over time which makes breathing difficult and often leads to deep fatigue.

Ron had then expressed the next stages of his therapies,

“Dr Susan recommended the hospice Wellbeing Centre course of which a major part is dealing with fatigue, anxiety and breathlessness.

I really enjoyed the relaxation sessions where therapy assistant, Tracy, helped patients to float away with their thoughts, listening to soothing music and her reassuring peaceful voice.

Monday’s exercise group helped to improve my lung capacity, and I also looked forward to the Tai Chi sessions.

The pain relief using anaesthetic, administered by Dr Andrew’s interventional pain service on Friday’s at the hospice, brought me respite from my back pain every so often.

Following the formal nine weeks of the wellbeing course I joined the hospice Friday coffee morning, where I turned my hand to a bit of baking!

Both Doe and I had complementary therapy too and the whole hospice team were on hand for useful advice and encouragement.”

Ron and Doe 42 years married

Ron and Doe lived in Rock Ferry all their lives. They both went to Well Lane and the Kirkland’s schools.

They later met at The Railway pub, known locally as Ma Wright’s, then were married in 1984 at Birkenhead Registry Office followed by a big ‘do’ at The Bridge Inn in Port Sunlight.

Ron worked for the council for many years as part of a ‘roads gang’. After years of labouring, he was then promoted to oversee the work and become the gang’s driver.

Doe was also someone who worked for her community and our society having been a nursey nurse in her own career.

They’ve got very supportive nieces and nephews, Ron’s family in Wales, as well as people who Doe describes as “two special godchildren,” Kate and Christopher, who they’re very close to. Their next door neighbours Alex and Jen’s daughter Lucy, 7, said Ron was her ‘best friend.’

Ron and Doe with the Welsh branch of the family

Wirral through and through, Ron and Doe also enjoyed great holidays, home and abroad, for many years.

In 2022 they went business class, it’s not what you know, to Dubai and loved it so much they went back the following year.

In February this year Ron had discovered, after having swallowing difficulties and a persistent cough for quite some time, that he was also living with throat cancer.

He continued with all of his hospice outpatients visits with some therapies being adapted but, when things were becoming a bit more difficult by early July, he was admitted onto the hospice inpatients ward for help with his symptom management.

Ron and Doe with family in Dubai

During that time Ron was able to have his food softened a little to help with swallowing and nutrition and he started to feel better, spending the warm afternoons in the hospice gardens under shade where he and Doe enjoyed a nice lolly ice (ice lolly?) or two.

Doe told us,

“The ward staff, like everyone else at the hospice, including the brilliant volunteers, made us feel so welcome and comfortable.

They couldn’t do enough for us.

All the hospice services are amazing. Everyone we met was so kind and caring.”

Ron and Doe with family for Ruby Wedding

Sadly, Ron passed away peacefully at the hospice on Saturday, 25^th, July.

Ron and Doe will always be a part of hospice history now having shared their story with us and also they featured in a section of a film that was made to outline what people can expect if they are ever referred through our outpatients services.

The film is available to view on YouTube here. Ron and Doe appear at about 1 minute and 5 seconds in

“Oh yes, you made us Hollywood stars too.” Ron laughed at the time.

Ron and Doe – absolute naturals.

Our grateful thanks and thoughts are forever with you, Ron and Doe, for sharing your hospice story.

Below photos l-r; Godson Chris, Goddaughter Kate, Ron and Doe in London, Ron’s Scones and best friend young Lucy.