When Dad was given his cancer diagnosis we were told we had two to three weeks with him at the most.  In keeping with his character, Dad decided that he wanted it to be much faster ….. and we lost him just one week later. 
In that week he was still able to say his goodbyes to many friends and family. Naturally, we weren’t prepared for the situation and had no idea what living with a terminally ill cancer patient looked like up close.  We needed someone to carry us through. We needed an Angel. 
 
Native Angels End of life carers Debbie Dawson and  Lisa Gentry carried our Dad and our family through that last week with immense care and dignity. Debbie took care of Dad, but she also took care of us in a way we didn’t even know we needed. The week was an emotional rollercoaster, at times frightening and confusing, but Debbie was there to reassure us at every turn.  In the last few days she barely left our sides. She enabled us to have precious moments with Dad we might have missed had it not been for her expert knowledge. The scariest moments were during the night and Debbie was able to stay with Dad overnight, thanks to the Native Angels charity of which Dad was the first beneficiary. There are no words to describe our gratitude to them.  All donations in memory of Dad will go to Native Angels.  
 
Native Angels is  Community Interest Company set up to provide overnight end-of-life care to Mersea residents who wish to remain in their own homes as they reach the end of their days but who do not have the means to pay for it privately – and for those who might otherwise be alone at this time. It is funded by public donation.