Mary's special girls' night out
A limousine picked up birthday girl Mary Mills from Hospiscare’s Exeter hospice to enjoy a “fantastic” night out with her girlfriends.
Despite being very poorly Mary was determined to put on her glad rags and have fun. “I had been planning this for weeks and although I felt rough and was weak on the day I knew I had 18 girlfriends and two limos waiting for me! Everybody I knew who was special to me was going to be there.
“Every single second of that night gave me a lift,” she said. “All my girlfriends gave me a big cheer and sang Happy Birthday to me and there was a massive magnum of champagne in the limo.
“Earlier in the day I had the most wonderful jacuzzi bath which lifted my mood. Hospiscare staff gave me a wonderful, massive birthday cake with huge sparklers, then a Hospiscare nurse painted my nails, my best friend Valerie helped me put on my best outfit and the adrenalin just flowed like a drug.
“I like to go out and have fun, I’m a party person, so I was determined I was going, even if they had to take me there on a stretcher. I was going no matter what. I wanted to do something that’s going to be memorable, it’s important to have happy times with friends and family.”
Now back at the hospice Mary has amazed Hospiscare nurses and doctors with the improvement in her health and is doing so well she’s going home tomorrow (Friday).
“I have my family and friends who are my main supporters and I have Hospiscare which gives me physical, emotional, mental and social support. A Hospiscare hairdresser cut my hair and on my birthday, the day before the party, I had a hand massage. They made me feel pretty,” she said.
“My birthday party perked me up and I forgot about my cancer for the night. It gave me a real boost and wonderful memories. I’m now looking forward to the future and am planning another trip with relatives from Ireland who couldn’t come to my party. My counsellor has encouraged me to plan ahead and have things to look forward to.
“You do not know when your time is up, I look at my life like a cake and every piece is a wonderful memory and when the cake is gone, I have lots of happy memories.”
Mary and her friends went to Orestone Manor in Torquay to celebrate her 62nd birthday. “The room was beautiful and I felt like a queen. There was another massive birthday cake for me! The food and service was fantastic, everybody was laughing and joking and before I knew it, it was time to go home.”
She arrived back at the hospice at 11.45 and does not recall getting into bed. “I slept solidly until lunchtime the next day,” she said. “I’ve had so many texts and messages from friends saying they had a brilliant night out.
Two years ago before she was diagnosed with her illness Mary held a big party with one hundred friends from all over the country.
Mary says she had led a full life as a primary school teacher for 38 years, having also done youth work and run after school clubs and has spent the past 10 years working at the RD&E Hospital as a nursing auxiliary.
During her holidays she’d take her 500cc Kawasaki motorbike and head to the USA to visit her sister and family. Whilst there she would meet up with Harley Davidson riders and tour.
