A Haworth woman has spoken of the help given by nurses as her dying father spent his last days at home over Christmas.
Jayne Pickard paid tribute to Marie Curie nurses who spent each night with her father Bob so she could get much-needed sleep.
The nurses kept Jayne informed of his condition and helped keep the family’s spirits up, despite knowing what would happen.
Jayne has allowed the Marie Curie cancer care charity to use her story to showcase the work of its caring staff.
Popular magazine Candis featured Jayne’s experience, as her father battled with pancreatic cancer, in its latest issue.
Jayne, speaking to the Keighley News, also praised the care given by NHS medical teams and Sue Ryder staff.
Great-grandfather Bob Pickard was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in October 2009, at the age of 75.
His family knew that Christmas would be his last and wanted to make it as happy as possible.
The hospital put them in touch with Marie Curie who were able to supply specialist nurses for nine weeks.
Bob also spent two weeks in Manorlands, returning to the hospice on January 6 and passing away 10 minutes after he arrived. Jayne said the Marie Curie nurses were “fantastic”.
She said: “Everyone who came to look after my dad was brilliant.”
Jayne thought she would have spent the whole of Christmas Day and night with her father, but was amazed when the nurses said they were available.
Following her father’s death, Jayne set up a national group to support families of pancreatic cancer sufferers and raise awareness of the disease.
Jayne can be contacted at just_jayne01@hotmail.com.
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