Just a few months ago, Michael Cockerham’s life looked very different. From Womersley, the retired school teacher and former sports enthusiast, who once loved skiing, badminton, and football, found himself battling severe bronchiectasis and a chest infection that didn’t seem to get any better.
Each day felt endless, the beeping machines a constant reminder of how fragile life had become. After two long months in the Hospital, trying different antibiotics and nebulisers, Michael and his family were exhausted.
When the palliative care team suggested a hospice stay, the initial reaction was shock. “We thought it was the end,” Michael recalls. “My sisters burst into tears. We were dumbstruck.” The room fell silent, tears streaming down faces as the word ‘hospice’ hung heavy in the air. Like many, they believed hospice care meant final days. But what happened next changed everything.
Michael came for a short stay at our hospice, and it was nothing like he imagined. He expected quiet corridors and hushed voices, but instead found laughter, warmth, and a team that treated him like family. “Absolutely outstanding support, five stars,” he says with a smile. “From the occupational therapist to the physiotherapist, and the complementary therapist, every single person was so kind and helpful. It wasn’t just good care; it was a really uplifting experience.”
The team explained that hospice care is more than end of life; sometimes, it’s about rebuilding strength and confidence after illness linked to life-limiting conditions. For Michael, it meant tailored therapy sessions, gentle treatments to ease discomfort, and a focus on his wellbeing as himself as a person, not an illness. “They thought of everything,” he says. “Not just for me, but for my family too.”
And family means everything to Michael. He has two sons, nearly three grandchildren, two brothers, and two sisters who visit often. “Seeing them relaxed and reassured made all the difference,” he shares.
After returning home, Michael faced another challenging moment when he suddenly felt he couldn’t breathe. His sister called for emergency care, and luckily, Michael was supported, and arrangements were made for Michael to come back to the Hospice to support managing his symptoms. “That meant so much as it’s a completely different kind of care than being in a hospital.”
Today, Michael is focused on spending time with his loved ones and finding ways to adapt to life with bronchiectasis. “It limits me, but I’m determined,” he says. “I left feeling stronger, supported, and ready to take the next step.”
Michael’s journey reminds us that hospice care is more than endings; it’s about rediscovering life, even when every breath feels precious.
To learn more about our services please visit pwh.org.uk/ourcare
