Cancer patient lives to see her son’s twins

Deborah had been diagnosed with terminal cancer when her son’s wife was only a few weeks pregnant with twin boys. Doctors said she only had a few months left to live, but Deborah was determined to see her grandsons before she died.

"I was pregnant with twins when my mother in law was ill with cancer. My husband and I were hoping that she would live to see the twins but it did not seem likely" her daughter in law recalls.

Deborah had been ill before, ten years ago, with breast cancer but managed to fight it off. Despite being a petite woman her family knew that she was very strong and determined to live.

"We were all worried the last time she got ill about how she and dad would cope in their big house and with the tall staircase they had. It was not easy convincing her that she needed help because she was also so proud and never ever asked for anything from anyone" says her son.

But as her son was expecting twins, and already had another child who had just turned two years old at the time, the family realised they could not provide her with the help and care she needed by themselves. Deborah was determined to stay at home and so her son contacted Bluebird Care Barnet who provide care and help around the clock in patients’ homes.

Larry Berkowitz came to see the family at the house one afternoon to discuss their options. Deborah was against the idea of a ‘live in’ carer at first as she hated the thought of a stranger living in her house.  "Larry was very patient with her and listened to all her concerns. Trust is so important with these things, especially when someone feels so vulnerable, and we could see that he had won her trust by the end of that meeting" says a family member.

Family members were amazed to see how quickly she came round. "Suddenly there was a new energy in the house and with that came some relief I think for mum and dad because it was not just them anymore" recalls the son. Having help allowed them a chance to get out of the house more often and family members believe Deborah enjoyed the company of her carer and their chats which took her mind off the illness at times.

Bluebird Care provide care at home for people who need it the most. The help changes depending on the needs of the individual and in Deborah’s case her carer helped her do her daily routine tasks like getting dressed and washing but also helped around the house with the washing, cooking and the weekly shop.

When the twins were born Deborah was so happy she got to see them and even had a chance to hold them in her arms once before she passed away. "It’s sad to think that they will never know her, but both my husband and I tell them about her often and she is never really far from our hearts even if she is not with us in the flesh" says her daughter in law. "The fact she even got to hold them was such a special moment for us and for her" says her son.