A PATIENT has thanked hospice staff for their incredible support after being diagnosed with advanced heart failure.

As one of the first patients referred to St Luke’s Hospice for the Hospice Heart Partnership Project (HHP), Darren Goodman had his life turned around.

In 2016, the 46-year-old was diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, caused by deposits of an abnormal protein in the heart tissue. He was told the condition was incurable and had to be managed with chemotherapy.

After a 12-week stay at Basildon Hospital, in April last year, Mr Goodman, from Thurrock, was referred to St Luke’s as part of the HPP, which supports people with advanced heart failure.

He said: “I didn’t know what to expect but the way I was treated by St Luke’s was a total surprise and completely changed my perceptions.

“As soon as I walked in the door, the atmosphere, the people and everything about it was unlike anything I’d ever experienced in healthcare before.”

Experts formulated a care and wellbeing plan to help manage Darren’s symptoms and improve his health.

The dad of two added: “Over the following months under hospice care, I became stronger, confident and fitter. Through weekly physiotherapy sessions I learned breathing techniques and how to manage my energy.

“The hospice staff inspired me, opening my mind to what was possible and taught me how to help myself daily. They helped me recognise when I needed to rest and when I could improve my health by doing simple exercises or having a stroll.

“Being in hospice care gave me peace of mind, there was always someone I could talk to so I felt I wasn’t alone. They taught me so much about my health that I had the confidence to go forward rather than look on the bleak side of my health.”

Darren was then considered to be a priority patient for heart transplant surgery. Within three weeks the surgery had taken place, and he was back home in time for Christmas.

Mr Goodman said: “Although it’s still early days my recovery is going well and I’m already starting to do things which I couldn’t manage before my transplant. I’ll never forget St Luke’s Hospice and the part they have played in turning my life and that of my family around.

“They continue to offer support and guidance and it’s reassuring to know they are there should I need them.” We’re planning 2019 in a very different place to this time last year.”

The project which is funded by St James Place Charitable Foundation Trust launched in May 2017, creating a shared care pathway between St Luke’s Hospice, the Cardiology team at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital, and the North East London Trust Community Heart Failure team.