Patient and family stories

John’s mum, Sarah, and wife, Zoe, share his experience of Sobell House.

John was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2009. Over the years, he had two surgeries, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. For most of this time, John lived his life as fully as he could, including retraining as a carpenter, getting married, and going to New Zealand for his honeymoon. He ended up working in the John Radcliffe Hospital in facilities and he was very well known for his positive outlook amongst the Oxford Hospitals team.

Shared by Gina’s daughter, Yasmine.

My mum Gina was diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer in May 2018 at the age of 57. Mum went through intensive treatment to try and cure the cancer but, sadly, by May 2019 we were told it was terminal, and she was referred to Sobell House for palliative care.

Shared by Kirsten’s daughter, Hayley.

In 2016, my mum Kirsten was devastatingly diagnosed with lung cancer. The cancer spread to her brain and at the point where it became apparent she would need more care, we were so lucky to be told that a bed was available at Sobell House.

Shared by Joan’s granddaughter, Alexandra.

Four years ago, my nan Joan was receiving palliative care for lymphoma. Tragically, at the same time my father was in hospital with lung cancer and he died very suddenly from pneumonia. My mother and I were caring for my nan but we were also struggling coming to terms with losing my father.

Shared by Reg’s wife, Rachel.

I met Reg in 1994 – Reg was a security guard and I worked in a shop as a cleaner. We had a mutual friend and one day she said to me, ‘I know someone who fancies you!’. It turns out that while I was working in the shop, I’d served Reg. He asked me out, cooked me a meal, and after that we were inseparable.