A MAN from Tallarn Green suffering from cancer has praised a hospice for its work in helping him live a fulfilling life.

Ed Burke, a master glassblower, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer during the summer of 2018.

Following the diagnosis he was initially told he had ‘maybe’ weeks or months to live but thanks to advances in medical research he was given a drug that effectively presses pause on his type of cancer.

Despite the treatment but Ed felt like he had been placed in suspended animation as he and his family came to terms with coping with his life-limiting illness and the inevitable changes that brings.

But after seeing him struggling, Ed's neighbour Diane James suggested he paid a visit to Nightingale House Hospice, where she had been a volunteer for ten years.

Ed says his decision has changed his life and his entire outlook on hospice care has been transformed.

“Just because I have a life-limiting illness doesn’t mean I am going to drop in a heap as soon as I walk through the doors of the hospice,” he said.

“It’s bizarre because my family say I look the best I have looked for ten years. I am in a good state of mind and this is entirely down to the care I receive from the staff at Nightingale House”.

Ed accesses the hospice’s day services several times a week using the hydrotherapy pool, participating in art therapy and music therapy sessions, physiotherapy and acupuncture.

He has also learnt essential mindfulness techniques with the help of hospice chaplain Gary Windon in the family support team and Yvonne Black, Macmillan psychological therapist.

“My mind can take me to some very dark places if I allow it but when I’m here all the staff and volunteers make me feel very special – it is just fantastic! I’ve found my little oasis.

“Pam, the art therapist leads me out of my comfort zone, challenging me and enabling me to explore my emotions through art. Together we can address the elephant in the room that is my lung cancer."