Robert Mitchell, known as Bob to his loved ones, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in March 2022 after experiencing a variety of symptoms.
Bob and his wife Caterina had support from Shakespeare Hospice and the palliative care nurses within days of his diagnosis.
Caterina said:
I was surprised when the palliative care team and hospice were mentioned. It’s a hard thing to swallow when there are so many misconceptions about them both. But we’ve been pleasantly surprised, the support has been amazing.
In January 2023, Bob started experiencing problems with his legs which quickly deteriorated.
The palliative care team recommended The Myton Hospices to Bob and the family as he was suffering with severe pain, which couldn’t be explained by doctors.
He was admitted to Warwick Myton Hospices’ Inpatient Unit for pain management in October 2023 for five weeks.
Caterina added:
I worried about Bob, of course, but not about his care for the first time since his diagnosis. I could relax knowing Myton were doing everything they could for him. I think it got to the point where Bob didn’t want to come home! The support is like no other and the nurses are absolutely fantastic. We can’t emulate it at home.
After his stay at Myton, Bob arrived back home, but was still in severe pain. Even with carers in place, Caterina became a full-time carer. Bob returned to Warwick Myton Hospice for a week’s respite care in December 2023.
Caterina added:
We’ve been together for almost 45 years, so being away from him was hard. I visited every day to be with him. But it gives us both a break from the hard work at home. I could rest easy knowing he was well cared for. And I could be his wife again.
During his stay, Myton’s Activities Coordinator, Calley, mentioned hand casting, a sculpture of hands that help to create memories. Bob asked Caterina if this was something they would like to do and the couple jumped at the chance.
Bob explained:
I really wanted to do this opportunity as with my MND, I can’t hold Caterina’s hand anymore and didn’t think something like this was possible. It’s a lasting memory of us and something Caterina can remember me by.
The couple gushed about their care, saying:
All the support we’ve received from all services has been amazing, it’s such a joined-up system. I think back to being told the palliative care team and hospices would be providing care and I wish I knew then what I do now. We were so scared as to what it meant, thinking the hospice would be a dark and miserable place where people go to die. But what it means to us is something completely different. Myton allowed Bob to be as comfortable and pain free as possible, which is the most important thing. They’re not just here for Bob, but me as well. My mental health and how I am coping is as important to Myton as Bob’s care which means everything.
Bob sadly died in February 2024, just two years after receiving his MND diagnosis.
This summer, The Myton Hospices Butterfly Effect will be celebrating the lives of our loved ones in a unique and special way with a brand-new heartfelt installation taking flight at Coughton Court, National Trust property.
With your help, we are hoping to raise £75,000 from this campaign to fund the recruitment, training and salary of a registered nurse for 18 months.
Join us and become part of The Butterfly Effect so we can be there for more people like Bob and Caterina, when they need us most, now and in the future.
