Maria is 59 years old and lives in Rasnov, a small town about 8 miles from Brasov. She is a widow and lives alone, her husband died in a road traffic accident 13 years ago. She has 2 children - her son lives in Italy with his wife and 2 children (age 1 and 6) and her daughter lives in a nearby village, Tohan, with her 19 year old son. 

 

Maria  was a professional skier in her youth, took part in many international competitions and also got much pleasure from training groups and individuals. She worked in the explosives factory in Zarnesti until the age of 55.

 

Until January of this year Maria felt completely well, she enjoyed hikes in the mountains, skiing in the winter months but most of all spending time in her garden tending flowers and plants which are her pride and joy.

 

In January she noticed her appetite was less and less and she began to lose weight. After consulting her GP she was admitted to hospital in Brasov for further investigations, at which point 3 lumps in her left breast were discovered. Maria was devastated when she found out that she may have cancer and chose to go to Bucharest for treatment, where she received chemotherapy and radiotherapy to her lumbar spine. Surgery was not considered an option as she had bone secondaries at presentation.

 

Maria's sister passed away 4 years ago with bowel cancer, aged 52, and was supported by the hospice team both at home and in the inpatient unit. Maria had cared for her sister during her illness, and also for her brother-in-law who had died age 41 from stomach cancer. 

 

On her return to Brasov, Maria asked her daughter to take her to the hospice, where she was initially consulted in the outpatient department. She presented severe lower back pain, associated with nausea, poor appetite, poor sleep and low mood and was offered admission to the inpatient unit for symptom control. Following admission to the hospice, her pain was soon controlled with a relatively small dose of oral morphine and she particularly benefited from open honest discussions with all members of the team. Although she knew her diagnosis and was aware she not going to get completely better she had many questions and issues which she needed to explore. She participated in activities in the day centre, where she looks forward to coming each week following discharge.