Stories

In the 43 years that my husband and I were together he was a loving, gentle, caring and honest man. That’s why it was so important to me to grant his final wishes. Words cannot express my gratitude to all you wonderful people who helped me through those final days. I would not have been able to do it without you. I am forever in your debt. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

We would like to thank you deeply and sincerely for your kind and expert support in the care of our mother. It was her wish to die at home, and thanks to Cittamani we were able to grant her that wish.

As family members who were caring for Mum we were often uncertain during the process about how best to care for her, and how to handle various situations that came up.  The advice and kind smiles of the Cittamani nurses were a rock-like foundation from which we drew strength and confidence.  All the nurses went way beyond expectations when providing much needed support.

In addition, caring for Mum placed a huge load on our family relationships, which unfortunately became fractured. The skilful mediation of your Social Worker helped us to regroup and re-focus our energies on what was important – the care for Mum and what was best for her.

You provided the opportunity for my wife to pass peacefully in her own bed, and in my arms – a beautiful memory. She knew she was at home which was what she always wanted. Cittamani made an extraordinary experience seem normal and bearable. Thank you all so much for the help and support that you gave to me and my family.

My first tentative steps on a rocky path that would eventually lead to Cittamani came with a diagnosis of incurable, inoperable prostate cancer in 2010. At the time I was head of the School of Communication at the University of the Sunshine Coast and writing my fourth book. The diagnosis stunned me but over time I convinced myself that cancer was just something else to cope with in the blend of daily life. Then, in 2013 I was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer.

I am a professional writer and communicator but cannot find the words to explain how much I owe Cittamani, or how much regard I have for every special person who makes the hospice what it is. Their mix of practical nursing, emotional, spiritual and social support is second to none, and given so freely and naturally. So too is their humanity, understanding, calming reassurance, and willingness to fight for their clients.

As I write this, scans have just revealed my cancer has returned and I have new metastases. My wife and I accept my condition is most likely terminal this time around. We don’t know how long I have left but apart from some pain I still feel well so we have no intention of sitting around watching grass grow. We are having fun, travelling and seeing as much as we can of family. When the time comes I hope to die at home.

If there was such a thing as a Nobel prize for hospice and palliative care Cittamani would have to be recognised. I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart.

I wish to express my gratitude for all the help and care you gave to my husband and I during his illness. The support, understanding and extreme kindnesses by your nurses gave me the confidence necessary to undertake his care, here in our home until his death. Their efforts ensured he was pain free and as comfortable as possible at all times for which I am most thankful.