Chips Patterson lives with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, diverticulitis, sleep apnoea and has had a tumour on his jaw. He was referred to our Community Team in January for help with his breathing and spent 10-days on our Inpatient Unit in April. He’s now back at home, where our team continues to support him and wife, Joyce. Chips kindly shares his story below.

“When I was asked if I’d ever considered help from the hospice for my COPD, the alarm bells went off in my head. I wondered if there was something the respiratory doctors weren’t telling me, and if my condition was worse than I thought, but they explained the hospice helps people with life-limiting illnesses in other ways than just end of life care. I wasn’t aware of that, so it was an eye opener.

That’s why, for the past few months, St Wilfrid’s Specialist Physiotherapist, Lara, has been helping me with my breathing. During that time, I’ve also received a range of support from the wider team, from counselling to complementary therapy, and they’ve got me a wheelchair and hospital bed to try.

I’ve also signed up for an online patient relaxation course, had help to complete my ReSPECT form [which outlines your clinical care preferences in an emergency where you cannot communicate], and used the brilliant 24-hour helpline. I feel like I’m losing muscle and getting weak, so I’m also waiting to start supervised sessions in the hospice gym to lift weights.

I’d never been in the hospice before I became a patient, but now when I go in there, even if it’s just for a coffee with a friend, I feel lifted as it’s such a beautiful place. Although I’m not religious, it reminds me of when I go into a church with that calmness and the lightness and everybody’s in a good place.

When I was admitted to the Inpatient Unit earlier this year, it wasn’t what I expected either. The care was first class. People had time to sit and talk, explain what they were doing, and go through what plan two would be if plan one didn’t work. I felt like I was a person, not just a patient.

And they are always looking to make things better and looking for solutions. If there is anything I need, I only have to ask. I’ve got to the stage where, if and when the end comes, I think St Wilfrid’s would be a nice place to be. I wouldn’t be afraid of it.

My dealings with the hospice have taken down some of those barriers and fears that you might have. Everyone we’ve seen has been so kind, thoughtful and full of empathy, and that just makes you feel more comfortable. They’re never condescending and I feel so well supported. They’ve taught me a great deal about my condition, and I can’t think of anything they haven’t tried to make me feel better. If they hadn’t been involved in my care, I don’t think my oxygen levels would have been sorted out, I’d have just been told to put up with it.

I used to be a magician in my spare time but had to give up when the COPD affected my voice. But now, thanks to the hospice, I’m getting to share my passion with a companion who comes round my house for a chat. He’s called a Community Support Volunteer, and the hospice matches patients with someone who has similar interests. I’ve shown him a couple of tricks, and he was over the moon. Joyce said it was good to hear me getting back to myself with him, like I used to be. I’ve been very fortunate in meeting him and all the people I’ve met through going to the hospice.

When people know I’m involved with the hospice, they assume the end is coming. I try to put over the fact that it’s not just where you go to see the end of your life, it’s also where they try to help you have a better quality of life. I hate to think where we would be without St Wilfrid’s. I just can’t sing their praises enough.”

Pictured: Chips and Joyce

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