NHS retiree and DJ extraordinaire Harry, 77, and his family of wife Kathryn, four sons Nick, James, Tom and George, five grandchildren, and pet dog Betsy, have recently been Making Every Moment Count at Bolton Hospice.

Having grown up in Johnson Fold and attending the then Smithills Grammar School, Harry later moved to Bradshaw and began his life-long career in the NHS. Fresh from his O-Levels Harry joined an NHS still in its infancy as a trainee administrator, before progressing through numerous roles and “making his mark” all over the organisation. He retired as a Regional Manager, responsible for trusts from Cumbria to Crewe, but Harry’s career high comes not from his public health success, but from his 10 year stint of DJ-ing on the side!

 

“I bought my first DJ kit back in ’71 at the very start of the disco era, and grew a collection of over 3000 45s (vinyl records). I used to watch Top of the Pops religiously so I could stay up to date with new releases. I would DJ weekly hoedowns at Smithills Coaching House, Friday and Saturday nights at Whitehall Country Club, and lots of parties and weddings. It was always quicksteps and foxtrots and then into the boogie boogie stuff.”

 

Family life was also important to Harry, fathering four children with his wife Kathryn, and welcoming various pets over the years. Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, fish and canaries were welcomed into the family home, although Harry drew the line at one of his son’s requests for a pet snake…

Over the years, Harry has also lived in Greece, performed magic, tried showjumping and switched his support from United to City. His life has certainly been eventful!

 

However, following a terminal diagnosis late last year, Harry has opted against a course of chemotherapy, remembering how taxing the treatment had been on a previous occasion. Instead, with the full support of his family, he has decided:

“To just enjoy what time I have left.”

 

Harry enjoyed an extra-special birthday celebration at home, surrounded by his whole family (no mean feat to gather four children and five grandchildren all together!) before his mobility began to deteriorate.

With his wife Kathryn also recovering from an operation, it became a challenge for the couple to each look after one another at home. Harry’s GP suggested the hospice, and following a reassuring introductory visit on the Friday, and initial assessment at home on the Sunday, Harry moved into the inpatient unit on the Monday.

Harry benefitted immediately from a review of his pain medication by a consultant at the hospice, who has continued to monitor him closely – “They really have the time to keep an eye on me, pick up on the expressions on my face, and tweak my medication within hours if needed, rather than days.”

As well as attentive doctors, Harry noted the regular visits by nurses and volunteers to check he was comfortable, and to ask if he wanted another of his favourite drinks – a strong coffee. He was particularly excited when scampi and chips followed by warm orange drizzle cake and custard was on the menu, asking for a double portion of the fish, and only a small slice of the cake but with lots of custard, which volunteer Maureen assured him would be no problem at all!

In Harry’s room, his son George has drawn a portrait of all the family, including swaddled 5-month-old Granddaughter Harper, numerous pet dogs, cats and even a rabbit, and of course Harry himself. Alongside the drawing, Harry has listed lots of things he loves, including coffee, cake, Greece, magic, the news, and football, providing lots of topics of conversation for him, our nurses and volunteers.

When Harry’s not chatting to the hospice team, he’s enjoying relaxing in his calm, quiet private room (“there are always so many people coming in and out of a ward, I couldn’t sleep properly.”) and hosting visits from his family.

 

Son Tom visited at the same time as therapy pony sisters Tinkerbelle and Tallulah, hardly able to believe it when two miniature shetlands appeared at his Dad’s bedside, and thanking the team for:

“A day I will never forget with my Dad in the hospice.”

 

Harry’s eldest son Nick and wife Kathryn are also regular visitors, joining him for brews, lunches, or just for a natter.

“The hospice has taken all our worries away. Now we don’t have to worry about Dad’s care, his pain, his medication or his appointments. They’re taking care of all that now. It really has given us all the chance to focus on spending quality time together. Time with Dad, just being together, being loved. It’s everything.

“Myself and my mum had never been to a hospice before, and it’s not a sad place despite what you might think. It’s a calming place, filled with love. Strip everything else away, and you’ve just got love.”