Patient and family stories

Shared by Stephanie’s husband, Ian.

The first real indication that something was wrong was when Stephanie set out on a dark, wet, mid-November evening to walk a few hundred yards to the village church. She came to her senses, soaked through, on a busy and dangerous country road half a mile away from her intended destination, having become completely disorientated. She managed to make a call for help on her mobile phone, and a search party had her back home, safe and warm, within an hour.

Shared by Gary’s friend, James.

I first met Gary back in 1985 at the Oxford United Manor Ground – we were both avid Oxford United fans. From that day on we became great mates and often met at the football ground to watch our beloved Oxford play.

As the years went by, we would often be found in the pub sipping on a few beers and playing crib, a card game we often butted heads on!

Shared by Leon’s mum, Dianne.

Many local people have a connection to Sobell House because their loved one received their care, but my son, Leon Gledhill, has a different connection to the hospice.

Leon was a volunteer gardener at Sobell House for six years, up until he passed away in 2019 at the age of 44. Leon suffered from mental health problems, and although he tried in many ways to alleviate his illness, he finally took the way out that some deep sufferers do, and died by suicide.

Shared by Sheila’s husband, Ray

My wife Sheila and I had just celebrated 41 years of marriage together and our three children, Nic, Jo, and Andy, were all in their thirties.

In early September 2008, while on holiday in Cornwall, I noticed that on occasion Sheila’s coordination and behaviour seemed unusual, and she lost peripheral vision at times. Nothing was too concerning until after we had arrived home.

Shared by George’s wife, Caroline.

George and I were married for 13 years and have three children together. Life was ticking along nicely, but in August 2011, while on holiday in Cornwall, George started to complain of a stomach ache. When we got home, the pain was so severe he had to take time off work. After seven gruelling months of investigations, we were told the devastating news that George had severe, life-threatening pancreatic cancer. He was 42 years old.

Shared by Jason’s wife, Rosalie.

I first met Jason at work and quickly knew he was the one. We moved in together in January 2002 and got married in 2006. Jason became a wonderful stepfather to my two children; my son Terry, who lives nearby with his family, and my daughter Samantha, who lives in Australia with her family.