Kevin’s Story

Kevin is a beloved family man, coming from a large military family, his career in the army began at 16 years old. Serving the military for over 26 years in the Parachute Regiment, Kevin travelled across the world.

After serving his country, Kevin worked as a Procurement Manager in London to support his family before retiring with his wife, Fiona. In 2019, Kevin was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer.

“I’ve had the disease for over 6 years, then 6 months ago it took a drastic turn. The cancer had spread to my bones and skull, it compressed my spinal cord, leaving me with no movement below my chest. We soon found out that a tumour had also grown on my brain which gives me horrible double vision.”

In the spring of 2025, Kevin’s doctor recommended hospice care from St. Michael’s Hospice.

“When I was told I was going into the Hospice I was resigned to the idea – it felt like the end of the road. My doctor asked me ‘what my expectation was’, I had the same expectation that I expect most people who haven’t used a hospice before would have – that it’s a place to die.”

When asked what his first impressions were of St. Michael’s Hospice, Kevin said:

“I was flabbergasted, it’s like a 5-star hotel! When we came here it lifted such a burden off me and my wife – we both got emotional. I can’t speak highly enough of all the staff, they’re kind, they’re caring, they’re attentive. They care so deeply and do so much – the Hospice quickly became our home.”

After nine days on the Hospice in-patient unit, Kevin was able to go home with further support from the Hospice at Home and Occupational Therapy teams.

“Once you’ve been here the Hospice never leaves you, the support continues at home for me and my family. The staff have included my wife in everything they do for me at the Hospice so she feels confident about me coming home, Occupational Therapy have been to our house to make sure everything is set up for me when I get there. Honestly, the better question is ‘what haven’t you been given by the Hospice’ and my answer would be ‘nothing, they have given us everything we need and more’.”

Kevin continued to say:

“Words are inadequate to express how good the staff are and how much we appreciate everything they have done and continue to do for me and my family. I hope everyone feels like this at the end. I’m privileged to have come here. I didn’t know this care existed until I needed it – and the Hospice was there for me. It’s a kindness I’ll never be able to repay, and a tragedy that other people don’t realise the outstanding work that the Hospice does.”