The Journey Together Love, Loss and Hospice
Sep 22, 2025
Susan Atkinson, a mother and intellectual disability nurse from County Leitrim, shares her personal account of caring for her husband Owen through cancer and palliative care. She talks about first resisting then embracing hospice support. Short scenes include warm hospice care, flexible home support, preparing the children, and a meaningful final weekend together.
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Lengthy Illness And Life Changing Surgery
- Susan describes Owen's long illness trajectory from 2021 to major surgery in May 2022 and repeated hospital admissions.
- Surgeons removed what they could after an 11-hour operation but tumour involvement with an artery and bladder meant recovery was limited and infections recurred.
Invite Palliative Care Early For Symptom Control
- Susan urges families to let palliative care in early for symptom control rather than waiting until 'the end'.
- She regrets delaying hospice input and says early involvement could have managed symptoms and improved quality in final weeks.
Hospice Flexibility Enables Meaningful Family Time
- The hospice environment felt warm, homely and flexible, allowing Owen day visits home and family routines to continue.
- That flexibility created memory-making moments like fishing, a visit with friends and a 'live wake' weekend.