Sabine’s Story
written by Sabine
Sabine was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent her first operation in 2019.
I had never experienced a hospice before coming to St. Michael’s. I was expecting it to be like a hospital or a care home. When I first came in, I thought it was so nice and homely. The first sight I had being wheeled into the room was I saw my favourite tree outside the window, the Japanese Maple. It was like fate.
Sabine, a patient, shares her story and experience of St. Michael’s Hospice.
Sabine was always an active person in mind and body, with a passion for plants. Now in her 70s, Sabine has built a comprehensive knowledge of plants since she was a young girl and has always been very close to nature.
She is a native German but has lived in England since the 70s with her husband. Sabine had a career as a translator and an education in philosophy.
“I am quite resigned with my situation and death does not scare me. Death is about how we are going to die and if we are going to suffer. We want it to be quick, and that is what I want for myself too.”
Sabine was diagnosed with breast cancer that was first operated on and had a lumpectomy in 2019. Due to COVID, it was a really difficult time to be seen for after care and Sabine was not contacted until July 2020. Everything seemed to be fine after the operation and Sabine was keen not to go back into the hospital system. However, in autumn of 2023 she developed keloids, lumps that often grow on scar tissue, and was diagnosed with a fungated cancer.
Despite having a strong support system of loved ones and friends, as well as sound mental health, Sabine is still impacted by anxiety around her condition. She explained that this often manifests at night, as her condition means she is unable to sleep laying down.
Sabine recently suffered a severe anxiety induced episode at home, this affected her legs and made her unable to walk. She also felt like she was losing her sight as her eyes had become light sensitive. It was a scary situation for both Sabine and her husband. The ambulance team and the Hospice team were called to her home. The teams suggested that Sabine be brought to St. Michael’s Hospice.
“It might sound like the wrong word to use, but I enjoyed myself. It just an amazing place. I was so pleasantly surprised by everything.”
Sabine stayed at the Hospice for a week, where we carried out her assessments and monitored her progress. The physiotherapists worked with her mobility and were able to help get her walking again with assistance. They were pleased with her progress over the course of the week and arranged for her to be returned home. Our team have arranged for Sabine to have brain scans in out-patient care to continue to monitor her development.
“The staff have been marvellous. They are special people. To do what they do, I think you have to be very committed.”
At home, Sabine’s husband carries out her care needs, such as changing her dressing three times a day. Sabine is visited regularly by the St. Michael’s Hospice at Home team, both before and after her stay at the Hospice site to continue to monitor her care and pain needs.
“I think most people have never seen a hospice. Your standard is quite amazing, and I think most people would be surprised – until you come here as a patient or a relative, because you don’t think about it. It is associated with end-of-life and most people don’t want to think about it or can even be in denial about it. I think people will need it more and more, so it needs to be supported.”