Former carer with terminal cancer urges families to talk about end of life
Diane Thomas cared for her late mum, Doreen, who had vascular dementia, after moving her from Yorkshire into her home in 2021. Just six weeks later she discovered the lump. Her mum died earlier this year, and Diane has since been told she has stage 4 cancer.
With support from Marie Curie’s 2Ts Advance and Future Care Planning service, Diane has prepared an advance care plan, power of attorney and do not resuscitate form.
Planning ahead with Marie Curie
The service, funded by the Tywi Taf Primary Care Cluster of Hywel Dda University Health Board, involves a senior nurse working with GP surgeries and care homes in the area. It helps people draft advance care plans, allowing them to think about, prepare and plan for their future care and end of life.
Marie Curie says many people in Wales are underprepared for the final chapter of life. A recent survey found almost a third (28%) have not given it any thought, while nearly 4 in 10 (38%) do not put plans down on paper. More than a third (33.7%) fear talking about end of life planning, while one in three (33.6%) believe they have plenty of time to arrange plans.
Diane’s story
Diane said:
“It’s important to me to have all this in place, so my children know and understand what I want. It was hard watching my mum, because she lived here with me, and I’ve also seen it with other members of my late husband’s family. I’ve seen them going on and getting less able to do things, and I don’t want to be like that.”
In August, Diane saw a doctor at Priory Grove, Carmarthen, where her daughter works, and received confirmation of her prognosis. She was then put in touch with Diane Milner, Marie Curie Senior Nurse at the 2Ts Advance and Future Care Planning service.
Professional voices
Diane Milner, who was a district nurse for 32 years, said:
“Advance care planning (ACP) is for everyone, at any stage of life, and helps people to think about, prepare and plan for their future care and end of life. It helps people to discuss and decide what is important to them, as well as sharing wishes with others. It means loved ones know what you want if you ever can’t speak for yourself.”
Dr Kerry Phillips, Tywi Taf Cluster Lead and GP Partner at Meddygfa Taf, added:
“This service is an important opportunity for anyone to record their future care wishes so that if the need arises, your expressed wishes are followed.”
Jill Paterson, Director of Primary Care, Community and Long‑Term Care at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said:
“Advance and Future Care Planning is a vital part of ensuring people’s wishes are understood and respected. The work Marie Curie is doing with the Tywi Taf Cluster is helping individuals and families have these important conversations, often at very difficult times.”
Support available
Marie Curie supports people with any illness they are likely to die from, including dementia, heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s, and advanced cancer. The charity provides expert care and support in people’s homes, in its hospices and over the phone via its free Information & Support helpline.
In Wales, the My Life, My Wishes document exists across all health board areas to support people with planning for their care at end of life. Marie Curie also offers an End of Life list on its website, a practical checklist curated by clinicians to help people prepare across five categories: legal and money matters; people, pets and things important to me; advance care plan; funeral or celebration of life; and making and leaving behind memories.
For more information about Advance Care Planning, contact: Futurecareplanning@mariecurie.org.uk
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