Eighty-eight-year-old Sheila Wood isn’t letting illness dim her sparkle. A proud self-described “Sheffield lass”, she’s facing life’s final chapter with humour, grace, and plenty of love at St Luke’s In Patient Centre, where she is receiving specialist end of life care and symptom management.
Sheila was admitted to the hospice a week ago, but her connection to St Luke’s goes back decades. In fact, St Luke’s has always been an important part of her family story.
“My mum, Mary Marples, volunteered here in the early days,” Sheila recalls fondly. “She got the bus in on a Sunday and made tea and coffee for visitors, supported with fundraising events and was even here when Charles and Diana made their royal visit in 1984!”
Sheila remembers her mother’s stories about St Luke’s fondly, and how giving to St Luke’s was always a priority in their family.
“My father worked in the steel works and I remember every month they’d get £25 from premium bonds – which was a lot of money back then,” says Sheila.
“I used to hope for a handout,” she laughs, “but every month he’d pass it to my mum and say, ‘Give it to St Luke’s.’ St Luke’s got it all – but I used to think, ‘you could at least have given me some!’”
For Sheila, St Luke’s has never been the “miserable place” some imagine it to be.
“People think a hospice is going to be all dreary, but that’s because they don’t know it. It’s not – it’s such a happy place. More or less jokingly, I always used to say that I hope I ended up here at the end of my life.”
Towards the end of Mary’s life almost thirty years ago, she was diagnosed with bone cancer and spent two nights at St Luke’s on its In Patient Centre, where Sheila remembers staying the night and holding her hand.
Now, years on as the hospice is marking its 55th anniversary, it’s a full circle moment for Sheila as she is now the one receiving St Luke’s care.
“I had been on dialysis for eight years, and at the beginning of this year, the pain had become unbearable,” she explains. “I was asked what my wishes were, and I said I wanted to come to St Luke’s. Within three days, I was here.”
“When you’re here, the care and attention make you feel as if you’re the only person. It feels as though everything they do, is for your benefit. I’m sure all other patients feel the same, but I feel like I’m number one - and when you’re not well, that means so much.”
Since arriving, Sheila has experienced a remarkable boost – both physically and emotionally.
“I feel better than I have for a long time, and everybody that visits me tells I look better than I have for years! I’ve had my hair done, and my nails done - and let me tell you, it’s given me such a lift.”
Sheila has even been able to walk with a frame, pain-free – something she couldn’t do before. And with family, friends, and even pets visiting, her days are filled with love and laughter.
Sheffield born and bred, Sheila grew up in Banner Cross and has lived in the city her whole life. A popular and well-known figure in her local community, she’s had no shortage of visitors – from her sons David and Peter, who travelled from Leicestershire and Scotland, to her grandchildren, and even her brand-new great-grandson, who she was thrilled to cuddle.
Reflecting on life, Sheila shares a moment of humour: “A good friend of mine died just before Christmas, and her son recently came to see me. He said she’ll be waiting for me, ready to pull me up and say – what on earth kept you?”
Through it all, Sheila’s philosophy remains simple: “I’m a believer in thinking ‘that’s life’ and just take what comes. I like to have a good laugh and I don’t believe in being miserable. Life for me, is for living.”