Lindsey Vasey, from Townville, never imagined that hospice wellbeing counselling would become such an important support for their whole family when her partner, Mick, was diagnosed with throat cancer.
Like many people, she thought hospice care was only for the final days of life and didn’t realise that emotional and wellbeing support was available from the very beginning of a diagnosis.
In 2024, after Mick’s throat cancer diagnosis, Lindsey honoured his wish to explore hospice care. Long before Mick was admitted to the Hospice, Lindsey was encouraged to meet Dawn, the Wellbeing Counsellor of The Prince of Wales Hospice.
“I’d been putting on a brave face for so long,” Lindsey said. “I didn’t realise how much I was holding in.”
From their first conversations, Dawn supported Lindsey step by step, helping her process her fears, her exhaustion, and the pressure of “keeping everything together.” Dawn also took time to support their three children (13, 18 and 21), helping the whole family understand what lay ahead in a gentle, compassionate way.
Those early conversations opened the door to moments that mattered most. With Dawn’s guidance, Lindsey and Mick found space to talk about their wishes and about not waiting to make memories.
“She helped us realise we shouldn’t put things off,” Lindsey said.
Within days, Lindsey organised their wedding. What they’d always thought would be complicated suddenly felt simple. They planned it in just a week and were married on Friday 2 May 2025, surrounded by those closest to them. “It was completely about us,” Lindsey said. “And it was perfect.”
As Mick’s health declined, Dawn’s support continued. When Mick was admitted for pain management, Lindsey knew she didn’t have to cope alone. Dawn was there during overwhelming moments, sometimes helping with difficult conversations so Lindsey could simply be Mick’s wife.
It meant I didn’t always have to be the strong one
Small acts of care, memory-making activities, knitted keepsakes, and time together on the cuddle bed helped the family stay close during Mick’s final weeks.
Mick died at the Hospice on Thursday 5 June 2025, but Lindsey’s support didn’t end there. Dawn remains a familiar, trusted presence, and Lindsey now attends the Young Widows Group.
“Being a young widow is a very different kind of grief,” Lindsey said. “It helps to be around people who understand.”
Looking back, Lindsey realises how vital that wellbeing support was from the very beginning.
“The hospice wasn’t just there for Mick,” she said. “They were there for me, every step of the way. It gave me the space to be his wife.”
Find out about all the care we provide here https://www.pwh.org.uk/our-care/
