Hospice Awareness Week highlights true meaning of friendship
The movie Bucket List, starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman is about two terminally ill men who try to complete a wish list of to-dos before they die. They had to escape from their cancer ward to do it but here in New Zealand hospices are helping people make their dreams come true. Hospice Awareness Week highlights just how invaluable this care is and the wonderful friendships that are formed when there is little time left. In many ways life has sped up for the patients of Mercy Hospice in Auckland. Lena Illes hit Pukekohe racetrack for a few hot laps and her friend Rangi Hughes was watching out for her - as usual. "She was a bit nervous but she calmed down," says Ms Hughes. When asked if they keep each other calm, she nods, "yes we do." Lena and Rangi met at hospice. It is the final stop when all other medical treatment has been exhausted - but it is also a time to make dreams come true as patients tick off their wish list. Alex Mudie asked for a drive in a Holden HSK. "We got up to 260 on the home straight," he says. "I look at it from this perspective - I'm dying anyway. So if I have a major road accident, it's just going to make it quicker for me." He is blunt but that is the reality - and that is why having a friend in the hospice is so important. Mr Mudie’s friend Pat Reddy does everything with a twinkle in her eye, but some days it is hard to find something to smile about. "You're not alone with a group like this," she says. "If you're really down you've always got someone you can pick up the phone and talk to." The bonds are life-giving and the patients are not willing to break them for any reason. "Over the holidays we broke up for 6 weeks and Alex, Pat and Pauline decided that wasn't what they wanted," says Opening Doors coordinator Viv James. "So they had these underground meetings which was great." "People who aren't sick - people who are well - it's harder for them to understand the cons of living with an illness," says Mr Mudie. "What it's like being in pain 24/7, and spending your morning bent over the kitchen sink. It's just good having friends." "True friends," agrees Ms Reddy. This year is the 30th anniversary of hospice in New Zealand and it is partly thanks to Sister Margaret Timms who helped get it off the ground. Things are a little more up tempo these days - which is great as far as new motorsport fan Sister Margaret is concerned. "I hope I don't try and race the Dihatsu Sirion around the streets of Auckland to get home!" Lena and Rangi were not sure about driving today, but the chance to catch up with each other is always the highlight of the week. "When she's not around I get lost without her," Rangi says of her friend Lena. However the relationship that keeps you going can also make life hard to bare. "When I go home today, I get back to my house and start thinking of her and all the good times we've had," says Rangi. When asked if many phone calls are exchanged between the two, Rangi shakes her head. "We leave that. If we get too close, it will hurt if something happens to one of us. I would like to but we know what it's like." It is easy to be inspired by these people. Ms James says she is always asking people for time, money or services for the Opening Doors program and is never told no. Not only did the drivers, helicopter team and sponsors donate their time at the Pukekohe track - they also gave $10,000. "The gift that hospice patients give us is what the spirit of hospice is all about and that is living the moment," says Ms James. Campbell LIVE