Inspirational Stories

Hospice Connections

With a sparkle in his blue eyes and a deep chuckle that punctuates his speech, Rodger Strom is a man who is not letting life get him down even as he battles prostate cancer. In his 70s, he is living in his own home with the help of Hospice care. This is not his first contact with Hospice, however. He has been a volunteer for them, has supported the Hospice financially and they would have cared for his partner, Fred, but he died before he could hook into their programme.

‘My first connection with the North Shore Hospice goes back to when it originally started,’ says Rodger. ‘I had worked as a social worker for the hospital board for the ten years before I retired, mainly working with the elderly and with people who were mentally handicapped. I had only been retired for a few months when I thought I would like to do some volunteer social work.’

An extremely caring person, Rodger contacted the North Shore Hospice and began volunteering for them twice a week, helping with the groups that were running at that time who were supporting patients and families as they worked through their grief.

‘My role was to be a facilitator. I was a listening post. I was able to help if people felt like opening up a little. Then you were able to lead them a little and help them with their grief.’

Rodger worked as a volunteer for just under a year, only resigning his position when he moved away from Auckland for a time. However, both he and Fred continued to financially support the Hospice. Rodger has been contributing to the Hospice in this way for 15 years. Little was Rodger to know that both he and Fred would be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2001 and that he would use the services of Hospice.

‘I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and I was half way through my treatments when we learnt that Fred had prostate cancer too. Fred’s prostate problem was rather minor and he got onto it right away. Mine unfortunately became malignant and that caused problems. I chose to have radiation treatment. Fred chose to have a different procedure, a relatively new treatment at the time that has proved to be very good. But he never got to have the procedure done. He had an aneurysm while he was in the preparation stage. He went downstairs to have a shower and dropped dead.’

Rodger describes this as a ‘very horrible experience’ and says it was a ‘double whammer’. Not only was Rodger half way through a course of 33 radiation treatments, but his partner of 45 years had suddenly, tragically died. Words aren’t sufficient in describing the loss and grief Rodger experienced as he had the hard task of continuing to battle his cancer. He is thankful to the support of Hospice during this difficult time and for their continued support today.

‘My nurse now comes once a week to visit and she phones once a week also. But if I want anything I phone right away. They are very good and offer 24 hour care and support.’

Rodger had been in remission with his cancer for a year, but when it suddenly flared up again he had problems with the pain medication he was prescribed. He was having worrying memory loss. That is now sorted. Rodger has just come back home after spending time in the Hospice In Patient Unit for respite and to have his symptoms monitored and controlled.

‘I’ve just had my first time of having respite at the Hospice. It was very lovely. It was comfortable and they spoilt me without overdoing it. They are always willing to help you. I was there for ten days and I feel much better now. I had been feeling very down before. The pain medication that I had been on had put me into a hell of a mess. My memory loss was quite high and that really worried me. But at the Hospice they just sorted it all out. They do everything so gently and they do everything with feeling.’

Back home again, Rodger enjoys walks in the fresh air and time with his friends. He has been following the racing lately as some of his friends own a racehorse that shows a great deal of promise. He is hoping to reschedule a trip to Australia in the near future. With the help of Hospice he is living life as fully as he is able as he continues to get treatment for his cancer. He is secure in the knowledge that the wonderful Hospice staff are only a phone call away anytime of the day or night if needed. ‘They really are wonderful.’

Karen McMillan