EDITED: We have just received the sad news Clinton passed away this morning at home, just as he wished. Our hearts are with Janine and Clinton’s family and friends.
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Clinton Lowe is resting easier this week after an electric hospital bed was delivered to his Nebo home.
The 33 year old has terminal brain cancer and is now bed ridden, and with only weeks to months to live, mum Janine put in a call to MP George Christensen for help.
“Clinton used to have a cup of coffee with George from time to time so I thought I’d give him a call to find out who could help us with some new equipment,” Janine said.
George then contacted the Mackay Hospital Foundation who then enlisted the Mackay Hospital and Health Service and Palliative Care Nurse Pam Hoskings for help.
The next day the Foundation funded the courier costs to deliver a bed and Pam was on the road to train Janine to do injections to help control Clinton’s pain and seizures.
“The steroids have made Clinton’s weight balloon. On top of that he’s 6ft 4 so getting a hospital bed is a dream. He’s gorgeous, he’s a giant sized teddy bear,” Janine said.
“The bed means we can bring him up to our height to do his cares and he likes to sit up so it is easier to reposition him.”
Clinton was diagnosed with an aggressive Grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in July last year while living in NSW,.
He returned home earlier this year to fulfil his wish to die at home, with his mum and surrounded by butterflies.
Pam is one of five new nurse navigators in Mackay HHS who are helping patients and their families find their way through an often complex health system.
The other four nurse navigators work in aged care, ambulatory care, stroke recovery and rural support.
Nurse Navigator positions help coordinate services for patients who need a high degree of clinical care.
“It’s great to be in contact with Pam, we’ve been around the world before contacting her. It’s great to be able to talk to someone who understands what will happen to Clinton next and to have that open conversation,
“I wouldn’t be able to help fulfil his wish to be at home without the new bed, Pam, Dr Awal who visits once a fortnight from Sarina, Hinterland Community Care and the ambulance,” Janine said.
More Information
Danielle Jesser, Media and Communications Manager
mhhs-comms@health.qld.gov.au
Phone 0417 756 221
