Terry and Lorraine Challis made a promise when they married in 1966: to take care of each other come what may. Now, 55 years later, with Terry stoically enduring the advanced stages of prostate cancer, they have been able to keep that promise thanks to the help of their daughter Kim and Mercy Palliative Care’s 24-hour service.
Terry was first diagnosed with prostate cancer 16 years ago. In 2018, after a long period of remission, he received the tragic news that the cancer had not only come back but had spread extensively throughout his body. Since then, he has had numerous admissions to hospital to treat the cancer as well as a persistent infection, which has made him very unwell.
Terry and Lorraine Challis
During Victoria’s snap five-day lockdown in February this year, Terry was home from hospital and, once again, gravely ill. Doctors recommended Mercy Palliative Care’s 24-hour service, which provides around-the-clock support to people of any age who are in the advanced stages of their disease. The service cares for people living in the northern and western metropolitan regions of Melbourne.
“Until then, I didn’t know the service was available but I’m glad I know now,” says Kim. “I do what I can to help dad but I can’t do everything. The service is a lifeline; I don’t know what we would do without it.”
Terry and Lorraine with their daughter, Kim.
Mercy Palliative Care nurses visit Terry at his home a couple of times each week to check his condition and make sure he is on track with his medication.
“I’m always glad to see them and I am very happy with the service,” says Terry.
“The nurses are always really professional,” says Kim “and treat both dad and mum with great respect and care.”
The service has allowed Terry to stay in the comfort of his home, maintain a familiar routine and keep doing the things he loves — spending Saturday nights watching the football with Lorraine over dim sims and party pies, and seeing his grandchildren who live nearby. Terence’s grandson Corey cuts his hair and Terry loves those visits, as Corey is a bit of a joker.
“There was a point, when dad was very ill in hospital, that the doctors suggested he may need to consider going into aged care, but he and mum wouldn’t hear of it,” says Kim. “They wanted to stay together.”
“I remember mum holding his hand and saying ‘We are together for better or for worse. I’m looking after him.’ They are absolutely dedicated to each other.”
Last reviewed August 13, 2021.