Mark has been staying at Fair Havens to help control pain and nausea caused by stage 4 oesophageal cancer. Because of regular testing and available PPE, his wife Marianne can visit whenever she likes.

One of the things that Mark and Marianne wanted to do whilst here was to create a plaster cast mould of them holding hands, the way they always do. Mark says, “Holding hands means more to me than anything, because I know that Marianne is there.”

Helped by Occupational Therapist Mary-Ann and Creative Therapist Lizzie, the couple from Leigh used a kit to create this permanent memory of their entwined hands. Mark says, “You have no idea what this cast of our hands means to me. It’s everything.”

Mark says, “There are no words to describe the difference Fair Havens has made during my stay here. I was in pain and had anxiety about visiting the hospice because of the myth is that it’s a place where you go to die.

“But everyone has put me at ease and I’m planning to go home again once my symptoms are under control. I don’t want to stay here for a long time, because I want other patients in a similar situation to experience this care too.”

Marianne says, “When we’re at home, it’d been a big responsibility for me to manage Mark’s pain, sickness and nutrition. Once he came to Fair Havens, I felt relief that he’s being looked after extremely well.

“Whilst there are still restrictions such as being tested and wearing PPE, at least I can visit, be with Mark and understand what’s happening.”

Mark adds, “Many people think that the hospice is where people go at the end of their life. Since I’ve been here, it’s totally different to what I expected. Death does happen, but there’s so much more to this type of care.”

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Published in 2021