“Foyle Hospice helped me to be a daughter again” says Limavady woman

A Limavady woman has praised the compassionate care of Foyle Hospice, and stressed how it gave her the chance to be a daughter again during her father’s final days.

Just days before Christmas, Amy O’Neill’s family were left devastated when her father Ernie was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer.

According to Amy, her family could not have coped without Foyle Hospice, whose `incredible’ support helped bring comfort during the most difficult time of her life.

“I cannot stress enough how amazing this service is within our community,” said Amy, who is a former FUSE FM Ballymoney DJ and Co-owner of Causeway Bowls.

“Foyle Hospice allowed me to simply be a daughter to my dad again, taking away the stress of caring for him. It completely changed our experience, and I know his final days would have been very different if he had remained at home or in hospital.”

Before his diagnosis, Ernie worked as a self-employed IT Technician, and was well-known throughout the local community.

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“My dad was always a big strong man, but he became so frail before he died,” explained Amy.

“However, he took everything in his stride and fought through it.”

She continued: “He was very settled and comfortable at Foyle Hospice. The staff were always so friendly and amazing. Unfortunately, my daddy couldn’t eat and I remember the chef telling him how they could take special requests and make him anything he wanted. Daddy really enjoyed the vanilla milkshakes!

“My daddy had spent a long time in hospital and hadn’t been outside for quite a while. One day, he asked the nurses if he could get some fresh air. Although he was bed bound, they didn’t hesitate - they opened the patio doors and wheeled his bed outside. He was able to enjoy the beautiful views and watch the horses in the field nearby. It’s a moment that will always stay with me.

“However, the care was not only offered to my dad but extended to us as a family – the nurses were always helpful and lovely, even asking myself and my mum if we had eaten and would offer us tea and coffee. We felt like we were being supported just as much as my dad. It was very special and I will never forget that.”

Amy explained that her family were offered access to an apartment at Foyle Hospice, enabling them to remain close to her father and avoid the stress of daily travel.

She continued: “The apartment was exactly what we needed. It had its own shower and kitchen, and it made everything more manageable for us. We used it during the day and were able to be with my dad in his room at night, allowing us to spend precious time together."

Following Ernie's death, on August 2 2024, Amy began to receive adult bereavement counselling, which is one of many services offered at Foyle Hospice, after the death of a loved one.

She explained: “The counselling has really helped me. I didn’t cry for months after my dad died, but I’ve learned that it’s okay to feel and express those emotions. It’s reassuring to know I’m not alone, and having someone to talk to has made a big difference.”

Amy continued: “I would just like to thank everyone at Foyle Hospice who cared for my father and supported my family. I have experienced first-hand what it is like and I would recommend it to anyone – the care is fantastic. We are so grateful to everyone involved and I know that my dad’s last days would have been so different without the care of the amazing Foyle Hospice.”