Vici's Story
“The memories we made with dad at the Hospice will stay with us forever, a testament to the loving
and supportive environment they provided.”
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- Vici's Story
Vici, Bill's loving daughter, experienced firsthand the compassionate care we provided for her father in his final weeks. Deeply moved by the support her family received and the precious memories they were able to create, here in her own words, she shares their story, highlighting the profound impact of hospice care and the importance of ensuring this support continues for other families in the future.
Bill, my dad, was a loving husband to my mum, Lynden, an amazing father to me and my sister, and a doting grandfather and great-grandfather. Even as he faced his final journey, our family’s experience with Thames Hospice allowed us to create precious memories that we will cherish forever. His story is one filled with love, resilience, and the profound comfort that compassionate care can bring.
Dad’s health challenges began long before I was born. In 1971, at just 17, he was in a serious motorbike accident. During his treatment, doctors discovered he had been living with only half a working kidney. A year later, he received a kidney transplant which, incredibly, sustained him for the rest of his life.
Capturing our moments together was always incredibly important to dad. I have vivid memories of driving into London at Christmas in the eighties to see the lights. Dad would always insist on bringing the giant video camera to preserve every moment, often enlisting me to film the dazzling displays.
Dad had a wide range of interests; he was a true car and bike enthusiast and the undisputed king of the family BBQ. But his biggest passion was always Star Wars. In the Seventies, his talent for building film props led to the incredible opportunity to work on the very films he loved (Read more here!). Decades later, even after retiring early due to his health, he was invited to meet Star Wars fans and sign autographs at conventions all over America and the world!
Over the years, dad faced numerous health battles, and it seemed he was constantly in and out of hospital. His immune system was severely compromised, so even a simple sickness bug my sister or I caught would often land him in hospital. Later, we learned that the very anti-rejection medication that kept his kidney functioning came at a significant cost, making him highly susceptible to developing skin cancer.
When skin cancer did develop, and later also Leukaemia, dad wasn’t able to undergo chemotherapy because it would have interfered with his other crucial medications. Instead, he was offered radiotherapy, which he ultimately declined. The potential benefits were uncertain, and he was already dealing with the side effects of other treatments. His primary concern was how this decision would affect me, Mum, and my sister – he didn’t want us to think he was giving up.
He endured multiple operations to remove cancerous growths from his hands, arms, and even his face. In March 2023, he had a biopsy to remove cancer in his throat, but we knew in our hearts that something wasn’t right. That Christmas, he was admitted to hospital, and although he rallied briefly, he was barely able to get out of his chair when he returned home. I worried deeply for mum, who was caring for him largely on her own. Just days later, he was re-admitted to hospital as his condition had deteriorated further.
Dad was desperate to come home. He longed to be in his familiar surroundings and to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. But with each passing day, it seemed less and less possible. It was finally time to reach out to the Hospice. Dad wasn’t initially keen, but the thought of a room with a lake view proved tempting. He reluctantly agreed to go, but he made me promise that if he hated it, I would do everything in my power to bring him home. Thankfully, that promise wasn’t needed.
On 19 January 2024, dad was transferred to the Hospice, where he could receive the compassionate care he so desperately needed. Within just hours of arriving, he turned to us and said: “Thames Hospice was the right decision for us. I hope you never need hospice care. However, if you do, this is the place.”
The Hospice immediately felt like a home away from home, lifting a huge weight of stress from the entire family. None of the grandchildren had seen dad while he was in hospital, so when my son, Harrison’s, 20th birthday came around, we all gathered at the Hospice to celebrate together. Being there allowed dad to be part of the party and watch his great-grandchildren playing, which brought him so much joy.
The care dad received was truly exceptional. The staff were incredibly kind and friendly, and dad quickly built strong bonds of trust with them. He particularly enjoyed his interactions with one of the Healthcare Assistants, John, who would tell him a terrible joke every morning, prompting dad to search for an equally groan-worthy joke to make John laugh.
At the hospital, it broke my heart every time I had to leave dad. But at the Hospice, we could stay well into the evening and even overnight. And even when we did leave, we knew we were only a phone call away. I had complete peace of mind knowing I would be contacted if needed, and I could always call if I had any worries. This reassurance meant the world to our whole family.
I literally cannot thank the staff at Thames Hospice enough. The memories we made with dad at Thames Hospice will stay with us forever, a testament to the loving and supportive environment they provided.