Two small, knitted hearts gave Charlie Gow unexpected comfort when her partner Jason Cook spent the end of his life at Willen Hospice just before Christmas 2024.
Jason was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the most common type of cancerous brain tumour in adults, in April 2024. The first six months turned the couple’s life upside down, with Jason constantly in and out of hospital. As the end drew nearer, he was admitted to the expert, compassionate care of Willen Hospice’s In-Patient Unit.
Charlie was with her “gentle giant, Jay” every day and often stayed overnight at the Hospice. One day, she was given a gift.
“One of the staff, Hannah, gave me two knitted hearts,” says Charlie. “They were small, soft and grey. Hannah explained that together with her mum, Jo, and the other nurses, they were knitting hearts in their spare time for patients and their families.
“It was such a lovely gesture. I immediately took the hearts to Jay. He loved them. Grey reminded him of the colour scheme at our house. One heart was his to keep, but only after I had sprayed it with my favourite perfume. I took the other one home and soaked it in his favourite aftershave. It has been with me ever since.
“It meant a lot. It still does. I found the heart gave me so much comfort. I keep it in my coat pocket and even sleep with it. Jay was so attached to his heart that he kept it in bed with him. Occasionally he’d lose sight of it, and panic a bit until he got it back. When he passed away, I asked the funeral directors to place it in his hand.
“We knew the Hospice would be the last place Jay would stay, but it was full of light and laughter. I worried all the time when he was in hospital, and struggled to sleep. At the Hospice, knowing everything was being done for him, day or night, I could go home and rest. The children and grandchildren were able to pop in whenever they liked.
“I was there all the time, but was able to take a step back. I became Jay’s partner again, and not his carer. I was able to meet the families of other patients. We might have been strangers, but we had so much in common.
“The Hospice made everything so much more bearable. Thanks to Hannah’s heart, I also have something special to remember Jay by.”
Read Charlie’s story in full at www.willen-hospice.org.uk/charlies-story
