A Worcester mum has opened up about how a children's hospice allowed her to say goodbye to her daughter at her own pace.
Liz Bishop's daughter Lily-Mai was supported by Acorns Children's Hospice as she bravely battled a brain tumour for four years.
To mark this year's Dying Matters Week (May 6-12), Ms Bishop spoke about the power of choice that the charity offered during Lily-Mai's final days, and how it allowed her to make precious memories to hold onto forever.
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Lily's journey had been supported by Acorns from her early diagnosis..
She said: “Lily was in too much pain to move her and take her home, so we made the decision for her to stay at Acorns.
"It was the right choice. We were able to stay with her the entire time and decorate Lily’s room with photos and made it more like home."
The care extended to the entire family, with hospice staff cooking meals, doing laundry, and providing emotional support.
Ms Bishop said: “On the day Lily passed away, I was right there with her.
"She took her final breaths in my arms.”
Following Lily's passing, the charity provided a special room where the family could visit her and take their time to say their final goodbyes.
Ms Bishop said: “Having the option of Acorns special bedroom meant we could still visit Lily any time we wanted to and really take our time to say goodbye.
"I didn’t want Lily in a funeral home because it’s set times, there’s no music playing, you can’t decorate the room – you feel rushed.
"I couldn’t bear seeing them drive off with her and then having to make an appointment to see my child."
She added: "But at Acorns we had Mr Tumble playing in the background all day on a loop, we had photos up.
"Knowing that I could get up in the morning and go straight to her or give her a goodnight kiss, and still give her that love and care – for her essence to know we were still doing that."
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