At 51 Gerry Faces the Battle of His Life

"I don't like to think what it would have been like if Hospice didn't exist. I have no doubts that everything would have been a lot more traumatic for not only me, but my entire family..."

At just 51 years of age, Gerry Greene, a positive, outgoing and articulate man is facing the battle of his life. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2007. 'I guess I knew that I had a problem, but I didn't want to know about it. For a time I tried to ignore it. Finally, Nicky had me admitted to hospital and after a series of tests we found out that I had prostate cancer.' said Gerry. But he believes that things you really need in life turn up when most needed. And one of those 'things' is Hospice. 'It's like the seventh wave,' says Gerry. 'You see the need for it.' At this stage in his life, Hospice is like the much wanted seventh wave, providing help for Gerry, his partner Nicky, his son Scott, and young daughter Julia-Rose.

The diagnosis meant a dramatic change in lifestyle for Gerry. He was an action-adventure man who enjoyed surfing, gliding and sky diving, while working for himself for 30 years in the outdoors. He finds now that he can't exert himself like he once did, but with the help of Hospice he has learnt to stay within his limits and adjust life accordingly. 'I was in a very bad state when first introduced to Hospice.' Gerry said. 'It was rather hectic before the cancer and I had forgotten what normality was. But I have realised how important it is to me that I now live a reasonably normal life and Hospice has helped me in that regard.'

Gerry had a couple of stays in the North Shore Hospital prior to meeting with the team at North Shore Hospice. Nicky told us that he was very sick. 'He was so sick he couldn't keep anything down and he was extremely dehydrated. I just thought that there had to be more that we could do for him so after being advised to contact Hospice we met with the Doctor there and he re-did all the medication. He put it all in the right order, told us what to take and when. In about two weeks Gerry's condition had stabilised.'

It worked wonderfully for Gerry who said that once he had his medication regulated by Hospice doctors, he didn't have any problems. He has learnt to keep his temperature on an even level and the importance of drinking lots of water to keep hydrated.

To help Gerry adjust to his new medication regime, the Hospice community nurses visited him everyday. "They would top up my syringe driver to try and get my pain under control. Their home visits decreased once my symptoms had stabilised."

Although Hospice has helped both Nicky and Gerry adjust to their major challenges, they were concerned when they heard about Hospice for the first time. 'I had known of Hospice before, but I didn't know anything about what they did, except for maybe endof- life care,' says Gerry. 'When I received the news that I was terminal it seemed the Grim Reaper himself was appearing. I had resigned myself to dying and that I would have to put up with pain and nausea until the time came. But I have found Hospice to be something fabulous and a life line. There is a confidence in what they do, and also gentleness and love. "I don't like to think what it would have been like if Hospice didn't exist"

Gerry told us that he had no doubts everything would have been a lot more traumatic for him and his family and that it would have taken a lot longer to sort out his medicine and stabilise his pain. He now realises that Hospice staff are specialists in this field and can quite literally help make each day the best day possible for the terminally ill.

As part of our caring philosophy, Hospice is also looking after the family's emotional needs with counselling, while Gerry himself visits Hospice once a week to spend time at Day Group where he is able to enjoy the company of other patients who understand what he is going through.

'Hospice does a great job of keeping an eye on me without invading my privacy,' says Gerry. 'It is reassuring to know that Nicky can call Hospice anytime for anything, it doesn't matter how big or small the issue. I also know that Hospice will be there as my condition deteriorates, not only to help me through, but also my family, to help them cope. Their support is priceless.'

Karen McMillan