‘They worked so hard to make Phil’s final days comfortable’
City Hospice’s Light Up A Life campaign is again being backed by the Echo this year. The aim is to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones and raise money for the hospice’s important work. This is Phil and Louisa’s story...
A FAMILY man and popular colleague, Philip Evans was diagnosed with a brain tumour in March 2020.
Following a series of treatments, Phil was referred to City Hospice and received specialist palliative care until he died aged 45 in March 2022.
From a former junior cycling champion who raced for Wales to an accomplished music producer and DJ who built his own modular synthesiser, Phil was good at anything he put his hand to.
He loved to learn and make things, sharing his successes with his wife, young family and friends.
Phil began experiencing issues with his memory in 2019. After a series of what his family termed “déjà vu” funny turns and a missed snooker game due to sickness and high blood pressure, Phil visited his doctor. Put down as stress, he was monitored for a year.
In early 2020, his colleagues at Admiral, where he had worked as a DevOps engineer for 17 years, noticed that Phil was repeating himself a lot.
This prompted further visits to the doctor, memory tests and scans just as the pandemic began. Sadly, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour and rushed into surgery within six days.
His wife Louisa said: “Phil had a great attitude towards his condition. He took the news on the chin, was never frightened and was determined to give everything his best shot. And, being Phil, he was interested to learn all about the surgery and chemotherapy treatments.
“He wanted to survive but, after a point, we had to be realistic about the outcome and we focused on his quality of life, making sure we could do and enjoy his favourite things together as a family.”
In August 2021, Phil fell in the garden and a subsequent scan revealed his brain tumour had grown. After further chemotherapy, he was transferred into the care of City Hospice.
Louisa said: “City Hospice worked incredibly quickly to organise a hospital bed and medication so that Phil would be comfortable at home, which was where he wanted to be.
“Everyone, from his consultant Dr James Davies to clinical nurse specialist Lynne, was so kind and caring, and we benefited massively from their joined-up care.”
Louisa was also supported by City Hospice, receiving counselling prior to and following Phil’s death.
Louisa said: “My counsellor Sarah has been so reassuring and supportive. I think that beginning counselling before Phil passed away helped me to prepare for the moment and be better equipped to cope after he had gone. I can’t thank City Hospice enough for all they have done.”
A donation made during the Light Up A Life campaign will make a world of difference to a family facing terminal illness in the community. To donate, visit https://www. cityhospice.org.uk/star-in-the-sky/ or call 029 2052 4150.