We are delighted to be holding our Light Up A Life service at each of our three hospices this year...

Of course we wanted him home, but Myton was the next best and most suitable place for him and us to be. They gave us one last Christmas together that we’ll cherish forever.

 

On Christmas Eve, myself and Alex collected our Christmas table decorations, plates and candle sticks (for decoration purposes only!) and even took port glasses all carefully wrapped up.

 

Alex’s dad, Bill and the Myton staff moved a few tables and chairs into Scott’s room which we then decked out with our decorations.

 

On Christmas Day, we cooked a roast duck, roast potatoes and parsnips at home, and grabbed a bottle of prosecco and port – one of our Christmas traditions – to take to Scott at the hospice and Myton provided us with vegetables to complete our feast.

 

We had our family Christmas – the four of us together making the most of what was likely to be our last Christmas Day together.

 

We will be forever grateful to Myton and the wonderful staff members that gave up their own Christmas to enable us to celebrate with each other, with Scott being as comfortable and pain free as possible. The day will be one we’ll always remember. 

 

Yes, Myton made the festive season as good as it could be, but they also made our day-to-day life as manageable as possible. They took out the mini-stresses of the days, from food to somewhere to sleep, so we could solely focus on making the most of the time we had left with Scott.

 

As a family, we stayed with Scott every day and night, with myself, Bill and Alex taking it in turns to stay overnight. We were always offered breakfast, and normally accepted toast with a tea or coffee when the wonderful volunteers came round with the trolley, and we would order our other meals from the coffee shop.

 

The grounds of the hospice brought so much joy to us all. Scott loved going around the beautiful garden in his wheelchair, even though it was a chilly December! Even just having the doors open to the garden was so lovely.

 

We would open the doors in the mornings and listen to the birds – it reminded Scott of home as we live opposite woodland.

 

In the last few days, we were given a key to one of the relatives accommodation suites to ensure we all got some rest yet not be too far away.

 

This closeness was a blessing and to have a place to go to get some rest and be back with Scott in just a few moments if anything was to happen was more reassuring than I can explain.

 

My beautiful boy died on Sunday 7^th January aged just 30 years old, only two months after he was diagnosed. He is missed by his family and friends so much and he will always be in our hearts.

 

That is why I am proud to be taking part in Light Up a Life this Christmas. Being able to celebrate Scott’s life at the same time we were at Myton will be so powerful.

 

I know we are not alone in our experiences and we won’t be the only family experiencing the loss of a loved one this Christmas. Light Up A Life, for many, is a poignant way to remember our friends and family at a time that is centred on those around us.

 

If you are able to make a donation you will be helping to ensure more people like us can access a Hospice Bed at Myton, so that they receive the same specialist care and support that we did, when they need it most.

 

Thank you.

Sheena Odell-Pace

Mother, Wife and Myton Supporter.