More than 60 years of love, friendship and adventure

Brian and Liz lived together in their home for over 60 years; they raised two children together and have five grandchildren. When they both retired, they paid off their mortgage and travelled around the world, visiting over 40 different countries.

“We were just good pals, we enjoyed playing cards and things like that, and just being together.” says Brian.

After Liz’s diagnosis, home became even more important

“Liz was diagnosed with terminal cancer about two years ago, they wouldn’t operate and they wouldn’t treat it, so there was only one path. For around the first 18 months she was in discomfort, but she still carried on. Things went OK until about October last year and then she started to get worse.”

Liz was admitted into hospital on Christmas Day 2025, where she had a scan that showed the cancer had spread and had to have a stoma fitted. When she returned home, she knew she wanted to spend what time she had left there. They had a bed put it in the living room overlooking their garden.

“It was nice that the bed just fit comfortably in here and we could carry on, she was part of life and she could be involved.”

The quiet weight of caring for someone you love

Brian had help from the District Nurse during the day and our Hospice in Your Home team helped care for Liz during the night so he could rest.

“I took on two roles, that of caring husband and a managerial role, I had notebooks galore about who to get in touch with and what she needed. It was hard work because nobody knew exactly what to do. You don’t realise how much it can feel like a burden, it’s not just the observation of the patient, you are there all the time. In the last few weeks I was calling myself a carer, you don’t realise how much you take on, all that you have to do and you’re not quite sure whether you are doing the right thing.”

A night of rest that changed everything

“It was the District Nurses who suggested we get in touch with Nottinghamshire Hospice. Two people came one evening, it was about 6pm and as they were leaving said would you like some respite tonight and I didn’t know what to say really. I said yes because I thought it a bit stupid to turn it down, and you know the next morning I just could not believe it; I could not believe what a different person I was. I was so refreshed, I’ve never experienced anything quite like that emptiness of mind. Every aspect of the care was wonderful, the help made it so much of an easier situation for us all to get through.”

Liz’s final moments, surrounded by love

“Liz always made everyone who came a cup of tea and brought out a plate of biscuits, it was her trademark thing. On February 12^th about 4pm, our son Brendan offered everyone a drink and came back with a plate of biscuits, less than half an hour later she died. It was as though she’d heard that this was happening and knew all is well with the world, that’s the kind of woman she was, she cared for other people more than she did about herself.”

Could Hospice in Your Home care help you or someone you know?

Liz was able to spend her final days at home, surrounded by the people and things that mattered most to her.

If you or someone you know is living with an incurable illness and needs support at home, our Hospice in Your Home team may be able to help.

Chat to us about Hospice in Your Home care on 0115 962 1222 or find out more here.