From wheelchair to wedding
Let’s take you back to when Steve was 25. Steve and his lovely wife Emma were newlyweds. Six months after their wedding, Steve started getting terrible headaches, so was taken to the QE hospital and after many tests was told he had a brain tumour the size of an egg. After six stressful months in hospital, two extremely long operations and lots of treatment he made it back home.
He was told by doctors, he was unlikely to work again and would find it difficult to have children. Fast forward, 25 years later he’s had three beautiful children, returned to work and proved the doctors wrong.
Unfortunately, three years ago he was diagnosed with more tumours that were this time round, cancerous. That’s when he was introduced to Primrose and he hasn’t looked back since.
“As soon as I walked in everyone was lovely. The volunteer at reception, the day hospice volunteers, the carers and the nurses, they’re lovely. It’s just like, one big, massive family, you know?”
Steve has been supported by our physiotherapist and has gone on to enjoy our patient art group, and loves playing (and sometimes winning!) dominoes every week. Steve had never done art before coming to Primrose, but you wouldn’t think that looking at the art he creates now. He’s even gone on to raise donations for Primrose with his art, but more on that later.
After his second diagnosis, despite being told by doctors he only had two years to live, he didn’t let that stop him. Steve had a goal in mind…
“When I started coming here, I was in a wheelchair, I couldn’t even stand. But after having a few months of physiotherapy, I actually got to stand and start using my walking sticks. My youngest daughter announced she was getting married and asked, Dad, will you walk me down the aisle and dance with me?
So I came here and every week the nurses gradually walked further with me and they showed me how to dance. I managed to walk my daughter down the aisle and we danced together too! It was just lovely, there were so many people in tears.”
Steve wanted to give back to Primrose so after finding a newfound love for art, Steve and his daughter, Kirsty, set themselves an art challenge, raising £610 for Primrose!
Hear more from Steve below:
Thank you to Steve for sharing his wonderful story about his experience at Primrose Hospice.
We always welcome and encourage visits to Primrose Hospice, so you can see first hand how we can help. If you or your loved ones would like to know more about how Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre can support you, get in touch with our team today.
T: 01527 871051
E: info@primrosehospice.org
