"My wife’s pancreatic cancer journey"

To the extraordinary team of the Prince of Wales Hospital Palliative Care Unit,

My wife and I have spent the past four and a half weeks in your care, and it is difficult to find words that truly express the depth of our gratitude.

Her cancer journey began almost exactly ten years ago with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Since then there have been many surgeries, including a Whipple procedure, countless hospital visits, treatments, and difficult decisions as we tried to stay ahead of a relentless disease. At one point we even sold our farm in order to help fund the drug Olaparib in the hope of extending my wife's chances of living well.

Over these ten years hospitals have become a very familiar part of our lives. We have met many wonderful healthcare professionals along the way, and we have always been grateful for the care we received.

But what we experienced here in the Prince of Wales Palliative Care Unit is something truly special.

From the moment we arrived there was a feeling in this place that is hard to describe but impossible to miss. Every person we encountered — doctors, nurses, clinicians, cleaners and support staff — carried themselves with warmth, professionalism, and genuine kindness. It is not only the high standard of care that stands out, but the humanity behind it. The way people speak with you, listen to you, and treat both patient and family with dignity and respect.

During one of the most difficult and emotional periods of our lives, you created an environment where we felt supported, cared for and, in many ways, comforted.

If we started naming individuals we would quickly realise we would have to name everyone who crossed our path, because every single person contributed to the extraordinary atmosphere of care that exists in this unit.

After ten years of being what you might call “hardened hospital goers,” my wife and I thought we had seen the full spectrum of hospital care. Yet what exists here is something rare — a level of compassion, excellence and humanity that goes well beyond duty. It speaks of people who have truly chosen this work as a calling.

To be cared for in this way during such a vulnerable time has been an honour for us.

In a world that can sometimes feel rushed and impersonal, what you have created here is something rare. You remind people that compassion, patience and simple human kindness still sit at the heart of medicine. During one of the most difficult chapters of our lives, you gave us not only care, but comfort and dignity — and that is something we will never forget.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

With deep gratitude,

XXX