Neil's Story
Shared by Neil’s sister, Sue.
Neil was my younger brother. He was strong, independent and very tall with a big heart and love for his whole family. Neil loved nature and the great outdoors – when we were younger, we would go skiing and take trips on conservation holidays. Later in his life, Neil planted around 1,000 trees in his field in Wales.

In November 2017, Neil was sadly diagnosed with cancer. He decided to undergo chemotherapy to prolong his life as much as possible. His treatment made him very unwell, but he remained strong throughout, right up until the end of his life. Despite being so poorly, he showed us all his brave and caring nature by joining the family in celebrating our nephew’s wedding and our parents’ diamond wedding anniversary. He was able to marry his partner, Bonita, they went on holiday to Greece together, and he sorted out a new car for her. Finally, he said he was happy to go to Sobell House to receive the care he needed.
Loved ones came to visit Neil during his stay at the hospice. At the time, our cousin was a minister, and we sat together in the peaceful conservatory as a family. Neil talked to us about plans for his funeral – he was just so brave to do that in front of us all.

Pictured: Neil with his sisters Sue and Christine

Pictured: the conservatory at Sobell House

Pictured: Neil in his field in Wales
Neil had decided he didn’t want to take as much pain relief as he needed because he wanted to protect Bonita as much as possible from any more upset. I remember one of the nurses at the hospice spent time with him. She listened to Neil and changed his medication, making Neil’s final days much more comfortable.
By Thursday, the decision was made for him to be cared for in the comfort of his own home. Within two hours of making this decision, an occupational therapist had organised all of the things we needed to provide his care at home. Everything was sorted so quickly and it was amazing. Neil was able to spend six precious nights at home, surrounded by his wife and his family, before he died on 10 October 2018. That’s why I can’t praise Sobell House enough.
Shortly after Neil died, we took a trip to Wales as a family to spread his ashes over his field. On the first anniversary of his death, Bonita and I returned to the field, and we continue to celebrate Neil’s life and memory by coming together on his birthday.
Thank you so much to Sue for kindly sharing her family’s experience of Sobell House.