Stan’s Story
“Everyone in the group is so
caring that it’s a real pleasure
to come every month. It’s also
great to have the support of
other people who have the
same condition because they
know what you are going
through and you can share
information and experiences.”
For Stan Andrews, the shattering day he was
diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
is etched in his memory. Stan, who lives in Middleton
with his wife Maxine, had chest X-rays and a CT
scan after seeing the doctor about a persistent
cough. Stan said: Stan was also introduced to the IPF Support Group which meets
at St Giles Sutton Coldfield. Initially Stan felt a little apprehensive,
but the warm welcome he received from other members soon
reassured him.
“When the consultant told us I had IPF I hadn’t got a clue
what it was, but he told me it was incurable and I probably had
18 months to two years left to live. He was straight to the point
but I’m glad he was as he made it clear I didn’t have the luxury
of time.” “I know just how good hospice care is because a local hospice
supported my mother and my family when she was dying.
IPF is a lung disease which has - in Stan’s words - ‘turned
his lungs into cardboard’, leaving him short of breath with a
permanent cough, as well as making him prone to infection.
There is no identifiable cause and treatment is limited to
medications that can slow progression, but cannot cure it.
After Stan and Maxine broke the news to their three children, the
former gardener began to make practical arrangements:
“I wanted to make sure everything was in place for when I got
worse, so we fitted a wet room, a stair lift and grab handles.
I sorted out all the finances and put my house in order so Maxine
and the children would be OK.”
“That’s all I wanted really – to
make sure that my family would be
secure and have nothing to worry
about if I died.”
01543 432031 I stgileshospice.com I [email protected]
The group has also offered the couple a link into wider hospice
services, with Maxine receiving pre-bereavement support and
Stan starting to attend the Day Hospice. Stan said:
“It’s the best place you can go in the world
because everyone there is focused on
helping you to keep your dignity.”
”It’s not just the doctors and the nurses who are so amazing, it’s
the volunteers who make the place too.”
Stan has attended Advance Care Planning sessions through
the Pulmonary Support Group and has already decided that at
the end of his life he would like to stay at home for as long as
possible, but would go into the hospice if he needed to.
“It has been hard having the conversation with Maxine and the
kids, but we sat down and talked it through. It can be difficult for
them to accept the reality of the disease, but I just want everything
in place for them, because that’s the way I work. IPF has made me
realise how precious life is and I want to enjoy the time I have left
with my family, knowing I’ve made plans for their future.”
At St Giles Hospice, we couldn’t do what we do alone. It takes a
community to make a hospice, and it’s because of your continued
support that we are able to help people like Stan and his family.
9