Jay is a family man and local businessman from Greenwich, with five children and eight grandchildren. He recently spent a week at the hospice receiving pain management care and whilst here we spoke to him and his daughter, Dina, about their experience.
Jay was diagnosed with prostate cancer and bone metastasis in September 2022. Since then, he has had two rounds of chemotherapy. During his treatment, he remained at home, being supported and cared for by his family. He finished chemotherapy earlier this year and has been on heavy medication since then to help manage the pain.
We couldn’t manage the pain at home
Daughter Dina said, “We had all the equipment and mum was doing most of the care with members of the family. Nights were extremely hard for dad – and mum too. And we did what we could, but we just couldn’t manage the pain at home.”
In February 2026, Jay’s condition worsened and talk of palliative care was introduced. Dina said, “We were doing as much as we could at home but there was talk of getting him into the hospice to manage his pain - which was really bad - so after a couple of months we put his name down. Before he was granted a spot, he had a medical situation that resulted in him being admitted to the hospital, where he stayed for a couple of weeks before coming into the hospice.”
DinaFor us it’s been an amazing couple of weeks here with our dad, and he’s felt so comfortable and he’s been so well looked after here.”
We really didn’t know what to expect
She continued, “It was a bit scary when I thought about my dad going into the hospice. I’ve never known anyone that has been in a hospice and we didn’t know much about hospice care, but when I was reading about it, I almost felt like it was about end of life, but pain management is a big thing on the hospice side.”
At the time, Jay was settled in hospital, where he was being looked after well. He joked that it was like a ‘five-star hotel in Dubai’. Dina said, “We, the family were scared about changing from the hospital to hospice and we all thought that this was an end of life situation, so we really didn’t know what to expect. He was coming in for pain management, and we were told that if they were able to get the pain under control then he would be able to go home – which we were all very happy about.”
During his time at the hospice, Jay received the round-the-clock support he needed and his medication was reviewed and changed.
Dina said, “Now there’s talk of him going home next week and we are really getting on top of it. The whole thing is a miracle, from where he was three weeks ago to where he is now.”
Preparing to go home
Even with that progress, going home still brought understandable worries for Jay and his family. Dina said, “At some points, even now dad has a little fear of going back home, because of the amount of pain that he was experiencing. It was in the back of his mind, and we were also thinking ‘are we going to be able to manage it ourselves.’” But as a family, they’re making preparations and putting together notes so they can ask questions when it is time for Jay to go home, so they can feel confident about what to do. And they are reassured to know that both Jay and the family will continue to receive the support they need once he returns home.
Dina added, “We’re ready to get him back home and continue what we’ve been taught and shown by all the nurses here. We understand it more now. For us it’s been an amazing couple of weeks here with our dad, and he’s felt so comfortable and he’s been so well looked after here.”
Getting the reassurance they need has made a real difference. Dina said, “We were told that if he starts getting the pain again, they’re not just going to leave us there - he can come back in for a little while again if he needs to. We love that they’re able to do that.”
Like a seven-star hotel in Dubai
Dina said, “The hospice is a home from home. Dad has had so many visitors and access to the phone and for anyone that comes in they’re like ‘wow this is a nice place, really peaceful’. And with nurses available 24/7, it’s been really fantastic. We didn’t know how this was going to turn out, and to come somewhere that’s been super caring … it’s been brilliant.”
About his care, Jay said, “It’s like a seven- star hotel in Dubai. The doctors have been good – everyone has looked after me very well. My son was asking the doctor ‘my dad’s going into the hospice, will he come back home?’ But I’m going back home now.”
Dina added, “The nurses look after us as well. One morning I was sitting here while dad was in bed, and some nurses came in and were talking to him and then one of them goes ‘are you ok as well?’ It’s small things like that. They don’t just take care of the patient, they take care of family and friends too.”
A close family friend visiting Jay, added, “I had no idea about hospice care. I’ve been so impressed at the fact that family can stay. Knowing that this is available to people, is so mind blowing and eye opening. A lot of the time, when you’re discharged from hospital, that’s it. Knowing we can pick up the phone and get help is great.”
Dina added, “We feel really great about being able to leave and that my dad’s good, and it’s all because of this. You always feel like no one can look after your family as well as yourself, I’ve never felt that here but the fact that he’s been so comfortable and we’ve seen it, is just another plus on everything.”
Jay said, “The doctors nurses are very good, from the bottom of my heart. Even though visitors come to look for me, they offer them tea and coffee. They’re very very good. Thank you to the hospice and all the staff. Excellent, wonderful.”
Jay“It’s like a seven- star hotel in Dubai. The doctors have been good – everyone has looked after me very well. My son was asking the doctor ‘my dad’s going into the hospice, will he come back home?’ But I’m going back home now.”
