Gyongyi and Thomas’ Story

“Without the care and support from Rennie Grove Peace Hospice, Gyongyi wouldn’t have been able to die in her own bed in our lovely woodland home – a place she felt comfortable and happy.”

When Gyongyi was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014 her husband, Thomas, decided to build her the home she had always dreamed of, a log cabin surrounded by woodlands. 

Thomas spent nine months building Gyongyi’s ideal woodland home, which he completed in November 2021. During her illness their new home was a constant source of happiness for Gyongyi and a place where she felt happy and comfortable.   

In July 2024 Gyongyi died in her own bed in her beautiful log cabin home surrounded by 25 acres of woodland. 

Thomas says:  

“Gyongyi and I used to live on the same estate in Willowbank near Uxbridge in 1979. We’d hang around together in a big group after school.  She was my first girlfriend when we were 15, but it only lasted two weeks!  We met up again in 2014 and I decided I wasn’t going to let her go this time and we started dating and fell in love.   

“At this stage Gyongyi had not been diagnosed with cancer.  A lump had developed in her ovary and when she had undergone surgery to remove the lump, she had needed a full hysterectomy. The hospital decided to give her chemotherapy as a precaution, but shortly after Gyongyi was officially diagnosed with ovarian cancer. 

“In 2021, Gyongyi contacted Rennie Grove Peace and a nurse came out for an initial meeting to understand Gyongyi’s situation.  The nurse listened to what Gyongyi wanted and then explained the type of support that Rennie Grove Peace could provide for her.  Gyongyi had watched her mother die in hospital, and it was a traumatic experience for her.  As a result, Gyongyi has always said that she wanted to die at home, not in hospital.  

“The nurse asked us to get back in contact when the time was right and we needed support.  This was so helpful because we knew what to expect and the type of support that was available.  

“At a meeting with Gyongyi’s oncology team in December 2023, she was told that they couldn’t offer her any more treatment for her cancer, and from that time forward she would need palliative care.  When Gyongyi was transferred back to the care of her GP, she asked to be referred to Rennie Grove Peace.  

Caring for Gyongyi at home

“We started with one visit every day, the Rennie Grove Peace nurses would come one day and a district nurse the next.  Gyongyi had a syringe driver and another medication line, so the nurse team changed the syringe driver and topped up her other drugs.  

“As Gyongyi’s condition deteriorated I found it necessary to call out the Rennie Grove Peace nurses during the night on two occasions. We were also offered additional help to take care of Gyongyi’s personal care which I only found necessary to call upon on Gyongyi’s last day. 

“The Rennie Grove Peace Hospice at Home team made a huge difference to both Gyongyi and I.  I can’t speak highly enough of them; they are such experts in what they do.  From the moment they came for their first visit it gave us both peace of mind.  The nurses explained everything so well and they answered all our questions.  For example, Gyongyi had been prescribed morphine for her pain, but she was reluctant to take it.  She was worried that the morphine would make her woozy and not aware of what was going on around her.  She said she would rather put up with the pain than be in a stupor.  As a result, she was only having a very small amount of morphine which meant her pain wasn’t being properly controlled.  One of the nurses sat down with Gyorgyi and explained that the amount of morphine she was currently taking was the same amount as found in one co-codamol tablet.  After their chat, Gyongyi decided to increase her morphine which made her last weeks much more comfortable. 

“The nurses really care; I can feel that it’s not just a job for them.  When they visited, they always asked how I was doing.  When someone you love is ill, you feel completely helpless.  I would have done anything to help Gyongyi and stop her illness from progressing, but I couldn’t do anything.   The nurses made it clear to me that they are here for me too, and I knew if I needed them, I could call them for help. 

Making Gyongi’s dream come true

 “Gyongyi always dreamt of living in a log cabin in a wood.  So I decided to build her a woodland home, just as she had imagined.  It helps that I own 25 acres of woodland!  It took me nine months and it was designed to facilitate Gyongyi’s care during her illness, with a wet room, wheelchair access and extra wide doors.  Gyongyi chose all the interiors – the tiles, the wall colours, the kitchen.  It was great to have something to focus our minds on.  

“Gyongyi was less stressed in our new home and I know she felt very lucky to live in such an idyllic place.  The only downside is that the deer are always eating the daffodils!  

“Without the care and support from Rennie Grove Peace Hospice, Gyongyi wouldn’t have been able to die in her own bed in our lovely woodland home – a place she felt comfortable and happy. 

“The cherry on the cake was getting married in February 2024.  For us it was about making every moment matter.  Gyongyi organised the whole thing, I just turned up! It was a wonderful day, I feel so lucky to have had Gyongyi in my life”