LIENE Pastore, 49, who’s been battling cancer, recently received the news her condition is incurable.
She was shocked to discover four weeks ago her cancer had spread much faster than anticipated, and she only has weeks left to live.
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After she received the news, Liene, from Watford, Hertfordshire, decided it was time to move out of her home with her husband and five-year-old son and into a supported home.
Her GP helped transfer her to Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care, and it was there staff made one of her dreams come true.
Liene was asked by one of the doctors at the home if there was anything special she wanted to do, which is when she mentioned the idea of a trip to the zoo.
Soon after, Liene, her husband, and their son Noah, were treated to a VIP visit at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire.
She said: “My husband had been caring for me at home but it was not a good set-up.
“My body was very weak, but my son wanted me to go out with him and play.
“When my GP suggested I was transferred to the Inpatient Unit at Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care, I just knew it was the right thing for us.”
Liene said the trip to the zoo was well organised, and they even got the opportunity to feed giraffes, elephants and lemurs.
She said: “Noah saw all these big animals – he was so overwhelmed and so happy. He was able to feed the giraffes a big willow branch.
“He was almost tussling with the giraffe as it pulled on the huge branch. It was so funny.
“Noah loves elephants. They are his favourite animals. He was so excited to see them.
“It was nice for me to see his excitement when he saw the newborn elephant and to see how happy he was.
“It was a really lovely day out. I’m so grateful to the hospice for arranging that for us.”
Inpatient unit nurse Ellie Grant, who has been looking after Liene, said the zoo trip is what Rennie Grove Peace is all about – helping people to live well, enjoy the things they still enjoy, and go about life in a way that feels comforting, fun and safe.
She said: “We love being able to help families create meaningful, loving, long-lasting memories that are personal to them.”
Another of Liene’s final wishes is to raise funds to help other people benefit from the same care and support she has received at Rennie Grove Peace.
Liene said: “The kindness here at Rennie Grove Peace has mentally boosted me. My body is giving me lots of trouble but spiritually and mentally I feel strong at the moment.
How to tell your kids you have cancer
Emma Campbell had to tell her kids she had cancer
The mum-of-four received her first diagnosis of breast cancer in 2010. She was 39 and her triplets were just six months old, too young to be aware of what was going on.
But her eldest son Jake was nearly seven, and she had to think about the best way to break the news to him that mummy was unwell.
She said: “I had barely begun to absorb the news myself and could actually feel my heart break as I mentally rehearsed how to instigate a conversation that might alter my beautiful boy’s childhood forever.
“I searched online and came across a book, ‘Mummy’s Lump’ by Gillian Forrest.
“It seemed to strike the perfect balance of being reassuring, using non-frightening language, while being practical and informative at the same time.”
Emma sat down with Jake after school one day, put the book in front of them, and started reading the words on the pages aloud.
She spoke about looking worried and sad, having a lump in her breast, having to take strong medicine to make it go away, and the medicine making her hair fall out.
Jake’s response was “Okay, mummy. Can I have a biscuit?”
Emma said: “One of the many magical things about being a young child is their ability to absorb, adapt and live in the moment.
“In his little world, he knew he would still be getting all the hugs, warmth, food, ‘I love yous’, his routine would go on, and that’s what mattered. My relief was palpable.”
“I just love life. Just being alive. Hearing the birdsong, looking out at the garden, seeing flowers. I can enjoy it all. So I guess that’s why I’m still here.”
She added: “Every person I’ve met here shows kindness. People do it with love, from the heart.
“Staff and volunteers also have time to care. They can sit and spend some time talking. That’s different from my experience in hospitals.”
Liene was shocked to discover the hospice only receives 14 percent of its funding from the government, with the rest raised by the generosity of the community.
She immediately decided to start raising funds and organised a 10-mile charity walk which more than 25 people took part in earlier this month.
So far, they’ve raised £4,803 of a £5,500 target, but donations can still be made here.
Director of fundraising Tracey Hancock said: “Liene’s wish is to raise funds for Rennie Grove Peace to give something back while she is being cared for in our Inpatient Unit.
“We call on anyone in the community to give what they can and help Liene achieve her wishes to fundraise, so that more patients can be looked after by us.”
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