Patient & Carers Stories
We would like to thank everyone who has shared their experiences at Alice House Hospice, read some of the incredible stories below.
The difference one call made
Dear Jo, Please accept my appreciation and thanks for your help. I look back on our phone call last November as a significant event. It marked the beginning of my acceptance of the loss of my dear wife, sister and granddaughter, all passing away within a year. The hurt remains and is sometimes overwhelming but […]
“My heart is smiling. I feel like I’m in a hotel!”
“It was definitely not the news we were expecting as Jan wasn’t even 60. She had her own side room on an orthopaedic ward in North Tees Hospital whilst staff decided on her pathway of care and also managed her pain. Although Jan was disappointed to miss Christmas Day with her family, she was hopeful […]
Counselling Support
“I attended children’s bereavement counselling with Jo at Alice House after the death of my dad. It really helped me process everything that was happening. Jo has helped me so much. She was very honest and welcoming right from the start and made me feel very comfortable. I learnt so many coping methods that I […]
Ken’s Story
Married to Carole, they have two children, Martin and Sarah and four grandchildren, Lewis Max, Charlotte and Sophie. Before his illness, Ken still enjoyed walking in the denes only now he would be accompanied by his friends and faithful Patterdale Terrier, Meg. He used the time on his walks to select hazel stems for his […]
Remembering Nicola
“My mam found out in May last year that she had terminal cancer. along with the cancer, my mam suffered from many different infections at the time and she was told that she wouldn’t see the week through. On 2nd January, surrounded by her boys and family, my mam took her last breath at Alice […]
Richard’s Story
Following an appointment with the Palliative Care Team, Richard was referred to the Hospice towards the end of July for assistance in managing his medications and symptoms. I work for the NHS and was immediately impressed by the way the Hospice staff were interested in what Richard’s needs were, both from a medical aspect to […]
My Stay at Alice House Hospice, David Hunter
I was referred to James Cook where I was finally listened to and eventually diagnosed with head and neck cancer. I felt like I’d been dealt a ‘triple whammy’; I’d recently had my contract terminated by my previous employer in 2019, then got my diagnosis of head and neck cancer and finally we went into […]
Leanne Barker shares Mam’s story of Day Hospice
The Palliative Care Nurse referred her to the Day Hospice by Mam was very reluctant to go. She was struggling physically and mentally. We went for a visit and her first words were ‘you only come here to die.’ With the support of medical and no-medical staff mam was placed on medication that allowed her […]
June tells us about the Long Term Care Team
As a District Nurse at the time I understood the community need for hospice care and agreed with the idea, I had even worked with two of Alice’s daughters previously, Paddy and Margaret. Over the years I nursed both my eldest sister and my mum at my home, continued to work as a District Nurse […]
My COVID-19 Recovery, John Davison, 79
Unfortunately, our bungalow wasn’t adapted well enough for Joan’s needs. She previously had a stroke and with the COVID-19 she had difficulty moving around. She came back into North Tees and because I was critical by this point they put her in a side room next to me so that we would spend what we […]
Derek, “food was my life”
“It’s been a year since I was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus, which for a chef has been pretty devastating. My cancer affects the long narrow tube which runs from your throat to your stomach so eating is a real problem for me. I live in Hartlepool with my wife but I used to […]
Brian, “I finally feel like i am living.”
“I came to the hospice last year for help managing my symptoms. I have a facial tumour brought on by skin cancer which causes me to suffer with headaches and effects my eyesight. I first noticed the mole on my nose but I never went to the doctors about it until it was too late. […]
Long Term Care
Mr A, who served in the Royal Marines and worked in Hartlepool Power Station for ten years before retiring, is now living with several life limiting illnesses. He has been into the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit previously and has had spells in hospital. At home following a recent hospitalisation he had carers from Alice House Hospice […]
If you would like more information about any of the services offered at Alice House Hospice please
visit the Patients & Carers section of our website
