Andrew Karney’s wife, Beryl, had devoted her life to dancing. As a professional ballet dancer, the stage was her home.
Yet when she received care and support from St Michael’s Hospice following a breast cancer diagnosis, she didn’t allow this passion to diminish.
“Beryl introduced the Physiotherapy team at St Michael’s to classical music and made them play it while she was doing her exercises,” said Andrew. “When we were driving back in the car afterwards, Beryl would always be on a high.”
Later, when she approached the end of her life, Beryl received the love and expert care of the Hospice at Home team.
“Beryl always cared about what she looked like, so the nurses would do her hair and her make-up,” added Andrew. “When she woke up in the morning, she always said, ‘When are the girls coming?’
“However much money I might have had, I don’t believe that I could have ever bought any care that was better than she got at the Hospice for free. The care she got and the attention she got and the love she got from the carers, was something money can’t buy.”
“However much money I might have had, I don’t believe that I could have ever bought any care that was better than she got at the Hospice for free” – Andrew.
