News

Caring and sharing the St Helena way

03 June 2009

David Shirra was diagnosed with mesothelioma in late 2007. The cancer of the lungs was linked to asbestos he worked with as a young docker.

David, 71, of Princes Road, Holland-on-Sea, says when he was told about his cancer, it struck him and his wife, Doreen, “like a bolt out of the blue”.
Their family was also hit hard. His granddaughter; then in her early teens, found his illness especially hard to accept, but came to terms with it thanks to an art therapy course run by St Helena Hospice. 

For David himself, the Hospice has offered practical help in dealing with his cancer.
He said: “I’m sure a lot of people out there think of a hospice as a place to go to die, but it has been a lifesaver to me.
“If I hadn’t come to the hospice, I don’t think I would be so happy and relaxed as I am. I think I would have given up the ghost.
“I used to lie down at night and it would be like drowning, but since the hospice people showed me how to breathe, I have had no trouble.” 

Courses on controlling the stress of living with an incurable disease were also helpful, as was the chance to meet others with similar problems, he says.
Indicating a lounge at the day centre where patients are, chatting, David adds: “Most of the people out there have incurable diseases. We have a good chat.
“I talk to people outside and they ask how I am, but you can’t go too deep into your problems. Here, most of us have the same sort of problems, so we just relax and talk to each other.
“The staff are really interested in you as well. It’s like a second family here.
“Nothing is too much trouble. I could not praise it enough. It has given me a new lease of life”.
David says the hospice’s support has given him the strength to face whatever the future may hold.
He explains: “This illness could have crept up when I was 30 or 40.
“My wife and I are both grateful I reached 70 before it took over, so I have no regrets at all.
“When the time comes to go, I shall kick and scream, but at least I’ll be happy I had 70-odd years.
“Then again, I might break records and live for another 20 years. At least we can try!”

Sonia Elks, Clacton Gazette, Wednesday June 3rd 2009