Jane Steele, Palliative Clinical Nurse Specialist at West Cumberland Hospital, has been honoured with a book dedicated to her.
Lucy Dillon, author of Where the Light Gets In, dedicated the book to Jane in gratitude of the care she provided for her mother Pat in her final months.
The inscription to Jane says: ‘With grateful thanks for all the time you gave us. We’ll always think of you with tremendous gratitude… and a good deal of awe!’
Jane said, ‘I am so touched by this kind gesture. All of our patients are special but to be thanked in this way is very humbling, it came as a complete surprise. I came back from holiday to find this parcel with my name on it and could not believe the lovely comments in the book when I opened it. The story is very beautiful – admittedly sad at times, but isn’t that what life is like?’
Lucy Dillon, from Seascale, said, ‘Jane is a tremendous asset to the NHS in Cumbria and the Palliative Care Team at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, and the impact of her inspirational compassion, patience and organisation will stay with my family for the rest of our lives. We’re so lucky to have her in Cumbria – I’m glad to be able to thank her in a small way for all she did for us.’
Where the Light Gets In is a bittersweet, life-affirming story, touching on themes of bravery, art, sisterhood and community creativity. It follows Lorna, a young woman returning to her hometown to confront the ghosts in her history, and Joyce, a reclusive artist determined to create a lasting memorial to her lost love – and to life itself.
