Aalish Creer - Patient Relative

"People often speak about the amazing work Hospice do. You know it, yet you never really feel the impact of the work until you’ve lived through it. ”

“Jane Catherine Creer. Cath, My Nanna was your typical Manx matriarch. She was fierce, loyal and endlessly independent till her last breath. Despite the fire in her belly, she was the kindest, most generous and hospitable person I’ve ever known. Anyone that walked into her house was invited to view her treasures, have refreshments or even be gifted one of her famous bargains. Pretty much every Manx farmer, their family and even the odd canine has experienced her wonderful hospitality. When she was ill, she carried on this tradition without uttering a word. It is hard to put into words how alone she must’ve felt.

As her health declined and she slowed, Hospice provided us and most importantly Nanna with a guidance and support. Hospice at home allowed her to continue doing things ‘her way’. People often speak about the amazing work Hospice do. You know it, yet you never really feel the impact of the work until you’ve lived through it. They gave my Nanna the best they could during circumstances no one ever imagines. They always arrived with a smile, a joke and world class care. They would listen to our worries, day or night and it felt like we had a 24-hour safety blanket. We were lucky as a big family, we could take shifts in the latter days keeping Nanna comfortable, but it wasn’t just my dad and aunties’ families, Hospice joined that unit and kept us stable during tough, busy and heart-breaking times. Although hard to process, when I made the call to inform the Hospice team she had taken her last breath, they arrived within the half hour with a calm and comforting manner. Hospice gave my Nanna the dignity she desired and my family the comfort and we could not thank them enough.

Nanna loved TT. Every year we’ open up’ the fields adjacent to the course free of charge, she would take a chair to the front of her beloved house waving at bikers, cars and caravans arriving from across the world. Of course, in Nannas hospitable manner she did everything she could to make sure everyone was fed, watered and comfortable. 2023 was the year of firsts. The ones you hear about in cliché Grief poems yet no matter how cliché, it was true. It felt odd, sad and wrong. 2023 was that first TT without her there. As a family, we knew that her legacy needed to live on, so we put out some buckets asking for donations to two charities who helped our beloved mum, Nanna and great Nanna. Hospice was of course at the forefront of our minds when coming up with the idea and a few small buckets raised £738.79. We hope that this will increase this year!

In April, I was approached by our good friend Elaine Dewhirst asking to bring Sammy my meg lamb in to meet some of the patients. There was not a single doubt in my mind that my little fluffy lamb and I would be up for the visit. It felt like I had that opportunity to give the tiniest bit back. I had never ventured into the Hospice building yet when we walked in, we were met with smiles, and it was such a lovely afternoon. Sammy enjoyed himself (maybe a little too much when he tried destroying the beautiful gardens for an afternoon snack). The personable and kind staff chatted away and the patient’s smiles were worth more than any experience you could buy. From the receptionist, the HCAs, the nurses and the incredible Emma, the staff at Hospice were just the most amazing individuals. I could not have entered that building without the great Elaine Dewhirst a fellow patient relative who has not only done so much for Hospice but displays the most invincible courage every day.”