The costs to operate the Helen McArdle In-Patient Wing between Friday 2 September and Sunday 4 September have been donated in loving memory of Maxine 'Max' Breheny
My mum Maxine Breheny (or ‘Max’ as she preferred to be called) was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in June 2021. Being a very organised person, as soon as she knew the prognosis Mum started both her bucket list and planning what she wanted to happen at the end of her life. Having nursed my Dad at home when he died, Mum was very clear from the start that she wanted to spend the very end of her life in hospice care. Having lived in Cumbria for 50 years the plan was to go to the hospice in Carlisle. However, as Mum grew weaker and unable to stay at home, no beds were available in Carlisle. As a result, plans were quickly put in place with the support of Mum’s palliative care team, GP and the amazing staff at Willow Burn for her to move there to be close to her family.
On Christmas Eve we brought Mum over to Willow Burn where she was able to spend Christmas with lots of visits from her family and incredible care and support from the team at Willow Burn. This turned out to be a little Christmas miracle, as Mum had peace of mind knowing she didn’t have to worry anymore about her medication or letting carers in to help her and we knew she had 24hr access to all the care she would need. Mum loved Willow Burn and the staff who showed incredible skill, compassion and care. Mum had exactly the death she wanted in a beautiful environment with everything as she wanted.
We will forever be grateful to everyone at Willow Burn.
Maxine's Loving Family
