After Jay Lynchehaun, 35, was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma, he was referred to East Lancashire Hospice for care in our Inpatient Unit in March 2022. Jay had already undergone years of treatment, including surgeries, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and continued to experience seizures, brain drains and complications.
When the cancer began to grow again during the pandemic, Jay chose to have an awake craniotomy in the hope of giving his family more time. Becky Lynchehaun, Jay’s wife, says, “This was the moment everything changed.” The procedure left Jay paralysed down one side and unable to speak after a stroke on the operating table, and the family were told the tumour was growing faster than ever.
Despite being told they would not be able to have children, Jay defied every expectation. Becky and Jay went on to have two children, Teddy Jay (9) and Orla Harie (6). “We were told the odds were stacked against us, but Jay always proved people wrong.” says Becky.
When it became clear that he needed specialist support, the Hospice became the place where Jay could be cared for safely and comfortably. As Jay’s condition progressed, our Clinical Nurse Specialists team supported the family with conversations about what he wanted for the final stage of his life.
Becky recalls arriving at the Hospice, “Taking Jay in on his final journey will always stay with me,” she shared, “From the second we arrived, Jay was treated like royalty; he was offered bubble baths and the Cafe Retreat team made us our favourite meal – steak, cooked blue, and chips”
Our Creative and Support Therapies (CaST) team helped the family create memories with sand footprint keepsakes with Jay. “Being in the Hospice allowed Jay to relax, and it allowed me to become a wife again, knowing he was completely cared for medically and emotionally,” shares Becky. “The children still remember playing Connect 4 with Jay, and lying in bed watching a film together.”
In Jay’s final days, Becky remembers how the team supported the whole family. “The Hospice staff rallied around to make not only Jay feel comfortable, but to make his family feel safe. My biggest memory is how dignified they made Jay feel, even when he had passed.”
After Jay’s death, Becky received Bereavement Support sessions at the Hospice. “It was very helpful. They understood what I was going through.”
Before coming to the Hospice, Becky had been anxious about hospice care. Her experience changed that completely. “I can wholeheartedly say I would let any of my nearest and dearest accept hospice care in the future; it made something so life‑shattering a little more comfortable.”
The family recently took part in our Starlight Memories Walk event, where Teddy raised an incredible £2,625 in his dad’s name and was chosen to cut the ribbon to start the walk. Becky told us, “It made the whole experience for Teddy really humble. He was so proud, and he’s already taken his medal into school for show and tell.” The family plans to continue doing fundraising events in the future.
For anyone unsure about hospice care, Becky wants to reassure them:
“East Lancashire Hospice is a place of care, dignity and kindness. They supported us, they supported Jay, and they gave us time together as a family. I will always be grateful.”
If you would like to find out more about the services available at East Lancashire Hospice, visit https://eastlancshospice.org.uk/
