Josh’s Story

N.B: Josh was cared for by Rennie Grove before the merger with Peace Hospice Care that formed Rennie Grove Peace.

Caring for Josh at home

Josh was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2010 and died two years later, aged 28, at home surrounded by his family and close friends. His sister Bex tells his story: 

“Josh lived life to the full.  His passion was racing.  He even raced against Lewis Hamilton when he was young.  When he didn’t make Formula 1, he started his own Go-Karting company.  He loved teaching the kids to drive on the tracks. But in 2010 Josh was diagnosed with bowel cancer which was a huge shock as he was only 26 at the time.   

“At first, he was in and out of hospital care, but soon his mobility declined, and Josh said he wanted to be cared for at home.  He felt too exposed in a hospital setting – where he felt he would be seen by strangers – and wanted the privacy of being at home just with the people who loved him.  Keeping his dignity was really important to Josh, especially as his illness progressed. 

“Josh had bought his own house just before his diagnosis, but mum moved in with him in the last months of his life, to help care for him 24/7.  The Rennie Grove Hospice at Home team was brilliant.  They cared for Josh day and night.  They made sure his pain was well managed and were so respectful and kind.  The overnight team came out twice the night before Josh died to make sure he wasn’t in any pain. The empathy they showed Josh and us as a family was amazing.

“As Josh’s family, we felt so out of control.  We couldn’t help him get better and we couldn’t change his diagnosis, but the one thing we could do is make sure he had his wish to be at home.  Rennie Grove helped us to do this, and for this we will always be grateful. 

“When Josh died in February 2012, we were all given time to say our goodbyes – mum, dad, me and his best friend Sammie.  When Josh needed to be taken away, Mum didn’t want to let him go.  The nurses were so kind to her and helped her say her final goodbye before they took Josh.  I will never forget the kindness they showed her. They also checked in with her days later to see how she was. 

“When Josh got ill, he always said he didn’t want to be forgotten.  We think about him all the time.  Since Josh died, we have raised over £5,000 for Rennie Grove through family-fun days at our local pub, where everyone had wristbands that said, ‘Josh says to live life to the full’!  The care that Rennie Grove provided for Josh, and us as his family, at such a difficult time, was invaluable and we hope the money we have raised will mean other families have access to the same care.”