Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Man’s dying wish to see his daughter comes true
AMAN with terminal cancer enjoyed an emotional final reunion with his daughter – after staff at a West hospice helped organise for her to fly over from the USA.
Nigel Whittle, of Bristol, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in December and was told by medics he had only months to live.
One of his last wishes was to see his only daughter, Sophie, who lives in California. But due to the pandemic it was a dream he thought would never come true.
Nigel was referred to St Peter’s Hospice after his diagnosis, with the charity stepping straight into action to support him.
Occupational health teams got involved, ensuring he had equipment at his flat in Hotwells, while the hospice’s nurses gave advice and support on helping him manage his condition.
He also received support from the hospice’s social work team, who gave advice on benefits he could claim to help make his home life easier and maintain his independence.
But the hospice team also went the extra mile, helping him realise his dream of seeing his daughter for the last time.
The team worked with Nigel’s medical practice to put together the paperwork to enable Sophie to make an emergency visit.
Benefits accessed for Nigel by the hospice’s social work team helped fund the trip.
Sophie flew to the UK earlier this month to spend a precious three days with her Dad.
“I last saw Sophie two years ago and, following my diagnosis, I didn’t think I’d get to see her again,” said Nigel. “But the hospice pulled out all the stops.”
Sophie had to quarantine on her arrival for seven days before heading to see her Dad.
“It was wonderful to sit there with her and chat and reminisce,” said Nigel. “We got the old photos out and chatted about the past. I got to say what I wanted to say.
“It was very emotional to see her knowing it would be the last time I did.”
Nigel, who was born in Bristol and grew up there, worked as a trainee rep at the Fry’s chocolate factory before moving on to Wills tobacco and then doing 20 years as a rep for Courage Breweries.
He then ran the BBC bar at Whiteladies Road for 12 years before he retired.
Nigel first felt unwell in November last year and was admitted to hospital. After a range of tests, he received the devastating news that he had terminal cancer.
“They told me I had three to six months to live at best without treatment,” he said.
He then underwent chemotherapy in a bid to slow the cancer. But just weeks ago he was called in to be told the treatment had not worked.
“At that point they gave me just one to two months,” he said.
“I told them that Sophie lived in California and they advised me to get her over to see me as soon as possible.”
Nigel, a former player/manager at Clifton St Vincents FC, says he cannot thank the hospice enough for its support.
“The hospice has been there for me all the way through,” he said.
“They have been truly amazing. They have pulled out all the stops for me and I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Hospice social worker, Jeanette Bartlett, said: “As a team we worked together to look at ways of how we could support all Nigel’s needs. To see him able to reunite with his daughter was something really special.”