We can’t thank them enough for providing the best care

IT was Andrea Bogle’s dying wish to her family that they help raise as much awareness as possible for the stellar service offered by the Palliative Care Ward at the Omagh Hospital.

As ‘Palliative Care Week’ continues to highlight the very best of human nature across the country, the Omagh woman’s family are fulfilling that noble, beautiful wish, and say that the renowned local ward has provided much comfort during their darkest days, while helping to heal their broken hearts.

Speaking candidly to the Ulster Herald, Phyllis Hall from the Gortin Road, Omagh, explained that she lost her much-loved husband, Alan to pancreatic cancer in October 2018, and her daughter, Andrea Bogle to breast cancer in January this year.

Andrea (née Hall), the devoted wife of Clint Bogle, was aged just 40.

Indeed Phyllis and Clint both say that the local palliative care ward will ‘always have a place in their hearts’ as the staff went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure their loved ones had ‘the best possible care’ in their difficult cancer battles.

Such examples of this wonderful service include the ward staff organising a very special birthday party for Andrea when she turned 40, and allowing Alan – a renowned pigeon fancier – the freedom to speak on the phone with his many friends.

Cancer journeys
Both Alan and Andrea were diagnosed with cancer in 2017. For Andrea, the years leading up to her diagnosis were characterised by lethargy and unwavering tiredness.

“She had always been very organised and active, but suddenly she was faced with a tiredness that she couldn’t overcome,” Phyllis described. “She found working full-time hours very tough.”

A scan revealed that Andrea had ‘an aggressive tumour’, and she immediately began chemotherapy.

A number of months later, Alan, Andrea’s father, suddenly started losing weight, and also began to experiencing pain in his back.

“Alan worked as a plumber for NI Water for 41 years, and he was never sick,” Phyllis described. “He was always so full of energy and devoted a lot of time to his pigeons.”

In December 2017, Alan was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and began his own chemotherapy journey. Andrea, a loving daughter, accompanied him to every appointment. But sadly, his cancer was terminal, and he was offered a place in the Palliative Care Ward at Omagh Hospital. Alan passed away in October 2018, but Phyllis recalls how Alan ‘felt content’ in the ward, and enjoyed his time there.

Andrea continued to battle her cancer throughout 2018, but in February 2019, Andrea succumbed to a lung infection and a scan revealed that the cancer had spread to her lungs.

She was given a bed in the Palliative Care Ward, and like her father, she ‘felt at home there’.

Clint, Andrea’s husband, said that she passed away with ‘dignity’, comforted by the presence of her family around her.

“The eight weeks Andrea spent in the ward were long, but she coped so well,” Clint recalled. “The staff at the ward made Andrea and ourselves feel so at home. They did absolutely everything they could to accommodate us, and we can’t thank them enough.

“The past few months have been very difficult,” Clint concluded. “However, friends and the community have rallied around us and everyone has been very supportive.”

Clint, Phyllis, and her son David, wish to thank Dr Robinson, Sr Thelma Graham and staff at the Palliative Care Ward in Omagh, NI Hospice Nurse Eleanor Campbell, their entire family and friends that journeyed with them.

“We are forever grateful for your support,” they concluded.