John’s Story

Supporting John with his breathlessness

John is 73 years old and lives with advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a progressive lung condition that makes breathing increasingly difficult. Over time, John has learned to adapt to his symptoms – slowing down his pace, adjusting daily tasks, and managing shortness of breath as best he can.  

Earlier this year (2025), John’s hospital respiratory team referred him to Rennie Grove Peace for support with his breathlessness. 

“When I first saw the word ‘hospice’ in a referral letter, I was filled with trepidation. I pictured a place that was all about the end of life, sombre and depressing – a place where you go when there’s nothing more that can be done. But my experience couldn’t have been more different. Rennie Grove Peace isn’t just about waiting for the end; it’s about helping me live as well as possible with my illness. The focus is on improving my quality of life, managing my symptoms, and supporting both me and my family through the ups and downs. It’s a place of calm, kindness, and real practical help, where I feel understood and cared for as a whole person – not just as a patient.”  

The nurse at the clinic put me at ease

“I met Jane, a nurse at the Rennie Grove Peace nurse clinic in Watford, and she really put me at ease. She explained what I could expect and told me about the support they provide. I’d had good care from the hospital respiratory team, but Jane treated me like a person, not just a patient. She took time to ask about my wife and family, which made a real difference. 

“Jane made it clear that I could use their services whenever I needed to. If I was feeling well, I didn’t have to come in, but if things got harder, they’d be there for me. That’s a big contrast to hospital care, where once you’re discharged, you’re often left to manage on your own. Knowing Rennie Grove Peace is just a phone call away is a huge comfort – for both me and my wife, Carol. They kept reminding us that we could reach out any time for support. 

“One of the first things Jane suggested was a low-dose morphine medication to help with my breathlessness. I was hesitant because I’d had a bad experience with morphine in hospital before – I had terrifying hallucinations. But Jane explained that this was a much smaller dose, designed to ease my breathing. Since starting it, my quality of life has improved a lot. I sleep better, and it really helps when the weather is hot and humid.” 

John and his wife, Carol, attended a course to help them plan ahead

“Both my wife and I found the Advance Care Plan course really useful, even though talking about death and funerals has never been easy for me.  

“I’d had a rough experience with a doctor during a recent hospital stay where the first thing he asked was if I wanted to be resuscitated if my heart stopped. It was such a sudden, blunt question, and the way he said it upset me. 

“When I got my discharge letter from the hospital, it had a “Do Not Resuscitate” note at the end, which confused me. I didn’t fully understand what it meant. Nurses Helen and Ann, who run the Advance Care Plan course at Rennie Grove Peace, helped explain it to me properly – that it means that healthcare professionals will not resuscitate me if my heart stops beating or I stop breathing, but it doesn’t mean I won’t get care otherwise, so I now feel more comfortable with it.” 

Breathlessness and fatigue clinic

“I’ll soon be attending the Rennie Grove Peace breathlessness and fatigue clinic, and I’m looking forward to learning more about how to manage my breathing difficulties. It’s hard to truly describe what breathlessness feels like unless you’ve experienced it – that desperate gasping for air. Rennie Grove Peace has made a huge difference in how Carol and I cope with my condition. The nurse clinic team has been incredibly supportive, caring, and respectful, which means so much. It’s reassuring to know that help is always just a phone call away.”