Hospice of the Valleys - Trudi Gillard

Trudi Gillard

Trudi Gillard has been a patient with the Hospice of the Valleys for more than three years – and she and her family are incredibly grateful for the help that they have received.

Mostly Mrs Gillard, who suffers from advanced lung disease, has been looked after by the community nursing team, at her Abertillery home.

But twice recently, senior CNS Vicky Reynolds has arranged for her to be admitted to Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan for her condition to be stabilised.

Mrs Gillard has also received complementary therapies, which she says have helped enormously, and also care at night from the Hospice at Home team, who have looked after Mrs Gillard while her husband and carer Paul takes a break.

The couple are both full of praise for the support the whole family has received from the Hospice over the last few years.

‘I don’t know what we would have done without them really, they have all been fantastic,’ says Paul.

‘All the nurses who have visited us have been wonderful and the night carers as well.

‘We just couldn’t have coped without the help of the Hospice.’

Phil was shell shocked when diagnosed with Prostate Cancer three years ago, age 44. Not knowing where else to turn, Phil self-referred to the hospice, already aware of the service as his father- in- law had received support. “When I was diagnosed I was unsure where to turn. The hospice helped me understand my diagnosis and then explained the services they could provide to support me and my family” Shortly after Phil’s referral his specialist nurse saw he was suffering from a number of stress induced problems and suggested complementary therapy. “I was sceptical to begin with, but I could soon feel the benefits. My stress levels decreased and my sleep dramatically improved”. Phil received reflexology, massage and aromatherapy he also received these treatments when staying at Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan hospital. The treatments improved Phil’s physical and psychological symptoms, allowing him to open up, discussing his fears and anxieties in a safe and relaxed environment. “It was my oasis in life, it was me time and I didn’t get that anywhere else. I would highly recommend having complementary therapies to anyone who is unsure. They have helped me no end and I haven’t looked back since” Phil explained. During Phil’s journey he accessed a variety of the hospice’s services including family support, nursing and therapies. The clinical team worked together providing the support Phil needed. Phil was discharged from the hospice as his symptoms were controlled and stable. Although Phil was anxious about discharge, he worked with the team and knows that should anything change, the hospice is only ever a phone call away.