20 Oct 2025 Patient and Family Stories

Chris’s Story: Finding Peace and Comfort with The Kirkwood

When 75 year old Chris was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer three and a half years ago, he couldn’t have imagined the journey that lay ahead. Since then, he’s faced grueling rounds of chemotherapy, battled sepsis three times, and overcome Covid twice.

After spending long periods in hospital, Chris recently arrived at The Kirkwood In-Patient for the first time and says the experience has been far better than he ever expected.

“I came here mainly for pain management,” he explains. “The hospital asked me if I wanted to come to The Kirkwood, and I said yes. I didn’t really know much about the place before I came, but it’s better than what I thought it would be. I’ve got no complaints at all.”

Chris has now been at the hospice for three weeks. For him, the calm atmosphere and one to one care have made a real difference. “You’ve got your own television and your own private room,” he says. “It’s quieter at night, so you get more sleep. It’s just different from being in hospital. There’s no noise, no bustle, it’s peaceful.”

Having spent time in both St James’s and Pinderfields hospitals, Chris knows what hospital life can be like. “In the hospital, if you need something, you can be waiting a while for it,” he says. “Here, you press your button and someone’s there within a couple of minutes. That makes a big difference.”

It’s not just the medical care that stands out for Chris, it’s the emotional and personal support too. “Mentally, it’s been better for me being here. You feel calmer, more relaxed, and you can rest properly. The nurses are brilliant, they understand what your problems are. They said I’m a bit of a cheeky chappie, but that’s just me!” he laughs.

The hospice environment has also helped his family and friends feel more at ease. “It’s a more comfortable place for visitors to come to than a hospital,” Chris explains. “They can see that I’m more comfortable, and that helps them too.”

For many people, the idea of a hospice can sound daunting, but Chris wants to reassure others that there’s nothing to be afraid of. “Sometimes it’s just the word hospice that frightens people,” he says. “There’s nothing to worry about at all. It’s just another day really. After three years of treatment, you get used to things.”

Chris’s pain is now much more under control, and he’s grateful for the care he’s received. “I’ve no complaints at all,” he says. “I’m comfortable, I’m looked after, and my pain’s under control. That’s what matters now.”

He’s also keenly aware of how much hospices like The Kirkwood rely on community support. “I think it’s amazing that the hospice is funded mostly by the public, about 75%, I’ve heard,” Chris says. “It’s quite astonishing really. But it shouldn’t have to be like that. It should be funded by the government, that’s the way it should be in an ideal world.”

Despite everything he’s been through, Chris remains grounded and grateful. His story is a reminder that hospices aren’t just places for medical care, they’re places of peace, dignity, and compassion. As Chris puts it simply:

“It gives you another alternative to the hospital. People don’t like hospitals, do they? This place gives you somewhere comfortable, peaceful, where people really care about you.”

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