Leamington and Whitnash Trees of Light: Myton at home service allowed mum to spend her final months at home with loved ones

The Trees of Light , organised by Leamington Rotary Club, allow people to dedicate a light in memory of a loved one, while also raising money for the hospice.

Barry Andrews, chairman for the Rotary Club, said: “Myton has been our charity partner for many years and this fundraiser not only lets you remember a loved one but ensures people suffering from life-limiting illnesses get the care they need.”

Ex-home care manager Kate Miles used the Myton at Home service to spend her final months at home, following a diagnosis of brain metastasis.

She was told she would have just weeks to live if she didn’t have chemotherapy and no more than a few short months if she did.

Her son Steven praised Myton for its incredible support during her final months, having called on the hospice once caring for his mum became too difficult.

Steven said: “At that moment, she was well and not in any pain but if she had chemo, she would likely become ill.

“What is the difference between weeks and months?

Especially if those months are going to be spent feeling unwell from treatment.

She was so relieved and decided not to have chemo.”

Kate defied her initial prognosis and lived for three months and, during that time, the Myton at Home team were on hand to make each day more comfortable.

Both Steven and daughter Kati moved back to their parents’ house to care for Kate.

Steven added: “It was a difficult journey for her because she used to be a home care manager and this time she was on the other side of the situation.

“After about two-and-a-half months of caring for mum, we were exhausted. We had lots of support from district nurses and Macmillan nurses but one day I told Kati I couldn’t cope anymore.

“I phoned Myton because we were so desperate. The Hospice at Home team were there every single day, which made it possible for us to keep mum at home right up until the end. One of the nurses, Maddy, would also do mum’s nails and she really looked forward to that.”

In the spirit of making Kate’s funeral a celebration of her life, a plan was devised, with Kate’s blessing, to have a flash-mob choir in the congregation, which saw 30 people join in.

“It was great and everyone loved it. It rounded off the ceremony in a unique style.

“I think you should celebrate that person and the impact they had on everyone else’s life. I know it’s not easy for people to do, death is hard.”

“The whole journey has made me unafraid of death and what happens. Mum got what she wanted by being able to be at home to die, thanks to Myton.”

To donate to the Tree of Light and dedicate the name of a loved one to be remembered, visit www.mytonhospice.org/TreesOfLight.

There is a donation coupon with the printed version of this article which will be published on Friday (December 4).

Coupons should be sent to Kathryn Metcalfe, Tree of Light, The Myton Hospices, Myton Lane, Warwick CV34 6PX.