'We wore elf slippers for mum's hospice Christmas'

Carol passed away in January 2019 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer

A family who spent Christmas at a hospice said "it meant the world" to them to be able to "cherish every moment" with their mum.

Laura Nisbet, 34, said the Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes became their second home after her mum Carol Donegan was diagnosed terminal cancer.

"On Christmas Eve, me and one of my sisters turned up in our Christmas pyjamas and walked down the corridor with bells attached to our slippers!" she recalled.

Ms Nisbet thanked the "amazing staff" who helped her family to continue their Christmas traditions and spend "precious" time with her mother before she died.

Staff say the atmosphere at the in-patient unit at Willen Hospice is "joyful" at Christmas

Ms Donegan was 52 when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in May 2018, and within weeks the family received the devastating news that it was terminal.

"Mum tried chemotherapy, but made the decision to stop and enjoy spending any time she had left with her family.

"We had heard of the hospice before, but never really knew what they did and didn't realise the true impact they would have on our lives," said Ms Nisbet.

She remembers arriving at Willen Hospice and feeling "at ease".

"I knew they would take good care of my mum."

Ms Donegan had several spells staying at the hospice, with time at home in between.

"Mum started to deteriorate and was back in for another stay, this time at Christmas."

Carol's family was able to spend Christmas with her at the hospice

"As a family we loved Christmas, and always had our own traditions. One of them was that on Christmas Eve we would wear elf pyjamas and get a takeaway.

"We were determined to continue it for Mum."

She said the staff laughed as they jangled down the corridors in their elf slippers, which "made things feel a little better".

"We spent Christmas Day at the hospice, and the lovely chefs made us our own three-course Christmas meal.

"We sat around Mum’s bedside whilst she slept. Just being able to be together and cherishing every moment meant the world to us.

"Over the next week we spent pretty much every hour there, taking it in turns to stay overnight.

"Staff were always there to lend a hand, offer food or drink, and most importantly take care of Mum to ensure she was as pain free as possible."

Laura says hospice staff showed "so much care and compassion" to her mum

'Forever grateful'

Ms Donegan was able to go back home, where she passed away in January.

Ms Nisbet said her family would be "forever grateful" for the hospice staff, who also came to their home.

"Myself and my family wouldn't have gotten through one of the most difficult times of our lives without their love and support.

"When a nurse asked Mum what she wanted to do with the time she had left, she replied, ‘Just spend time with my family’. And that's exactly what Willen allowed us to do," she said.

Carole Marley says she enjoyed working on Christmas Day at the hospice

Carole Marley, a staff nurse at Willen Hospice's in-patient unit, said the atmosphere at Christmas was "joyful".

"We had so many presents last year to give out to patients and their loved ones, donated by individuals and local businesses. People really do rally round.

"You know that for some patients it's probably going to be their last Christmas, so you've always got that in mind."