“Claire House was our tower of strength.”
When Maria’s son Liam was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour, the hospice team became a tower of strength for them both. Maria explains how Claire House supported them at the most difficult time.
“Liam loved everyone around him. We’re a big family and Liam was one of the youngest for a long time, but he was always making sure everyone else was okay, worrying about them and bossing them around.”
“He was lively, went on holidays with his friends, went to football matches and spent loads of time with his brothers and sisters,” said Maria.
At 21-years-old, Liam was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. The hospital suggested that Liam and his family meet with Claire House Children’s Hospice who would be able to support them.
“I always thought Claire House was for younger children and I questioned how they would create a relationship with a 21-year-old, but I knew we wouldn’t know until we visited. It was a struggle at first to convince Liam, it took a lot of persuasion, but we eventually arranged a visit.
“I’m really glad we did because we were very lucky to have met Lou,” said Maria.
Lou is a Palliative Care Nurse Specialist who supports teenagers and young adults like Liam. She helps the patients she supports focus on the things they want to achieve whilst they are well, but also consider what would be important for them if things change, treatments options fail or there are no more treatment options left.
“Liam was always thinking about everyone else. He didn’t want to talk about his diagnosis or what might happen as he was always scared he could upset us. Lou gave him the strength to talk about things that no one wants to talk about,” said Maria.
“The love that Liam had for his family was clear from the moment I met him,” explains Lou.
“We would talk through lots of different things and he would say ‘I want to protect my mum, I want to make sure she is going to be okay when I’m not here’.
“He was a planner, but it was easier for us to make plans earlier on whilst he was still feeling well and they still seemed a way away.
“He planned his funeral and we put a care plan in place for when he did become unwell. That way he could tell us what he did and didn’t want before the time came. Then we helped him live as well as he could, for as long for as he could.” explains Lou.
“When Liam got sick he really wanted a dog and so we got Buster,” said Maria.
“Buster was his best friend, he’d sleep by his bed and go everywhere with him, even to see Lou at Claire House.”
“Liam’s diagnosis caused him fear and anxiety. I’d see him every week or two, sometimes we’d just meet for a coffee or go for a walk, play Fifa and have a bit of fun. Other times we would have some really difficult conversations that would make him sad, but Buster would always be there to lift his mood,” explains Lou.
“Liam wanted to live a normal life as best he could and he didn’t like to talk about his illness much with me, his family or friends. Lou was someone for him to talk to,” said Maria.
“Claire House not only supported Liam, they were there for our whole family. They helped us to create so many special memories.
“They arranged a 22nd birthday party at Claire House Liverpool. The whole family came including Buster, there was cake and music, we made handprint paintings and they arranged for a photographer to capture every moment.
“They supported me too, I would see Kate for complementary therapies. She’d help me to relax with different treatments and afterwards it would make me feel like I could go out and face the world again”
“Claire House was our tower of strength. Liam had never been sick in his life, so to have to then deal with all the medications and the trips to the hospital was hard. If we were ever unsure on medications, I could pick up the phone and Claire House would be there to explain and reassure me,” explains Maria.
Fourteen months after his diagnosis, Liam deteriorated quickly. He died peacefully at home in December 2021 with all of his family around him.
“It’s coming up to 20 months since Liam died and it still feels like yesterday, but I know we’ve got Claire House to support us. When you lose a child, you feel like you’re part of a club that no one ever wants to be in, but having the hospice makes me feel like I’m not alone.”