Paula's Cuddle Bed
When Mum was dying of bowel cancer I would curl up next to her on her double bed at home. We would share a conversation, hold hands, watch TV or just be close and spend time together. This intimacy made even the darkest moments bearable. Mum was fortunate to die at home and we were able to continue to this precious closeness right up to the moment she died.
But if she had died in hospital (in a traditional single hospital bed) we would not have had these beautiful moments cuddling on the bed together. I recently heard a story on the ABC about a Queensland hospital that was offering cuddle beds (double hospital beds) which highlighted the benefits of physical intimacy in the final days of someone’s life. I realised that by fundraising for one of these beds I could recreate for others the precious intimacy we were so fortunate to have and benefit from in the lead up to her death.
The loss of mum has left a gaping hole in our lives but the closeness shared in the final months, weeks and days of her life still give us comfort to this day. We know this meant the world to her and now, in the lead up to the 10th anniversary of her death in 2020 my goal is to raise $11,000 for a hospital cuddle bed so other palliative cancer patients – adults and children - and their loved ones can experience the same comfort in a hospital setting.
You can read more about cuddle beds and my inspiration here:
https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-18/terminal-cancer-patient-josephine-collins-shares-a-cuddle-bed/11030342
Just as the formation of bonds are encouraged when a newborn enters the world, enormous comfort can be given by retaining bonds as someone’s life is ending. Being able to facilitate this connection in an environment which can be sterile and unfamiliar can reduce stress and anxiety. It can also provide significant comfort to the loved ones of the patient not only in those harrowing moments but through their journey with grief in the aftermath.
The bed funded will be known as ‘Paula's Cuddle Bed’ and installed in the Oncology Ward of Gold Coast University Hospital and be used by patients of all ages including children. This hospital has been chosen as it supports and promotes the use of palliative care cuddle beds and has an existing program in place. By helping to grow the size and impact of their program it is my hope it will inspire and influence other hospitals nationally and internationally to do the same.
With your support, in time, thousands of adult and children patients and their loved ones will have access to and be comforted by 'Paula's Cuddle Bed'.
Thank you for reading our story and for your support.
Love,
Kyla-Jane
A bit about mum...
My mum always loved her bed. She always loved a cuddle. Both never more so than during her 11 month journey with and death from Stage 4 terminal bowel cancer at the age of 64. Mum had enormous care and compassion for others. She spent over 25 years working in administrative roles in various hospitals. When she came in contact with patients - often at some of the most devastating times in their lives - she was sensitive, kind and exuded her special brand of warmth and where appropriate, humour. As an only child she always made me feel safe, loved and comforted despite what challenges I faced. She was an incredible, wife, mother, mother in law, sister and friend and to see her life and death bring enormous comfort to others as they face their own would be an extraordinary, fitting tribute and so consistent with how she lived her life.
But if she had died in hospital (in a traditional single hospital bed) we would not have had these beautiful moments cuddling on the bed together. I recently heard a story on the ABC about a Queensland hospital that was offering cuddle beds (double hospital beds) which highlighted the benefits of physical intimacy in the final days of someone’s life. I realised that by fundraising for one of these beds I could recreate for others the precious intimacy we were so fortunate to have and benefit from in the lead up to her death.
The loss of mum has left a gaping hole in our lives but the closeness shared in the final months, weeks and days of her life still give us comfort to this day. We know this meant the world to her and now, in the lead up to the 10th anniversary of her death in 2020 my goal is to raise $11,000 for a hospital cuddle bed so other palliative cancer patients – adults and children - and their loved ones can experience the same comfort in a hospital setting.
You can read more about cuddle beds and my inspiration here:
https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-18/terminal-cancer-patient-josephine-collins-shares-a-cuddle-bed/11030342
Just as the formation of bonds are encouraged when a newborn enters the world, enormous comfort can be given by retaining bonds as someone’s life is ending. Being able to facilitate this connection in an environment which can be sterile and unfamiliar can reduce stress and anxiety. It can also provide significant comfort to the loved ones of the patient not only in those harrowing moments but through their journey with grief in the aftermath.
The bed funded will be known as ‘Paula's Cuddle Bed’ and installed in the Oncology Ward of Gold Coast University Hospital and be used by patients of all ages including children. This hospital has been chosen as it supports and promotes the use of palliative care cuddle beds and has an existing program in place. By helping to grow the size and impact of their program it is my hope it will inspire and influence other hospitals nationally and internationally to do the same.
With your support, in time, thousands of adult and children patients and their loved ones will have access to and be comforted by 'Paula's Cuddle Bed'.
Thank you for reading our story and for your support.
Love,
Kyla-Jane
A bit about mum...
My mum always loved her bed. She always loved a cuddle. Both never more so than during her 11 month journey with and death from Stage 4 terminal bowel cancer at the age of 64. Mum had enormous care and compassion for others. She spent over 25 years working in administrative roles in various hospitals. When she came in contact with patients - often at some of the most devastating times in their lives - she was sensitive, kind and exuded her special brand of warmth and where appropriate, humour. As an only child she always made me feel safe, loved and comforted despite what challenges I faced. She was an incredible, wife, mother, mother in law, sister and friend and to see her life and death bring enormous comfort to others as they face their own would be an extraordinary, fitting tribute and so consistent with how she lived her life.
Organizer
Kyla-Jane Hunt
Organizer
Yarraville, VIC
Gold Coast Hospital Foundation
Beneficiary