Amputee reunited with husband after two years in palliative care

Florence had developed an infection in her leg which progressed rapidly, forcing doctors to amputate her leg to save her life. She spent the next eight months in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, but due to complications from the surgery, medical professionals determined that she had six months to live. Florence was moved to Riverside Care Home, part of Renaissance Care, where she would stay for the next two years and a half years.

However, with the support of the staff at Riverside, Florence has made an incredible recovery and has now recuperated to the point that she was given the news that she would be able to move home to her loving husband, Ed (62). Ed, who has been battling cancer visited Florence at every possible moment and has been desperate to have her home. 
Staff at Riverside have taught Florence how to care for her amputation and she has been working closely with Aberdeenshire Council to secure a ground-floor, adapted flat that will allow her to move back in with her husband of three decades. 

Florence said: “After the amputation, all I wanted was to go home, but it was decided that I should move into a care home as my health wasn’t improving, and my wounds were not healing.

“It was expected that I would need palliative care for the rest of my life, but after spending two years at Riverside, I’m now planning to move into a new flat with my husband after years apart.”

Ed was diagnosed with cancer while Florence was receiving care for the infection but kept the discovery to himself so as not to worry his wife.

“It was expected that I would need palliative care for the rest of my life, but after spending two years at Riverside, I’m now planning to move into a new flat with my husband after years apart.”

Florence, Resident at Riverside

Florence said: “I didn’t find out that Ed had been diagnosed with cancer for months, and I was furious when he finally told me.
“I couldn’t believe he’d kept it to himself, but he just kept telling me that he didn’t want me to worry and wanted me to concentrate on getting myself well again. Thankfully, he’s doing much better now.
“Ed’s even more excited than I am about moving into our new home – he has been counting down to the day. It’s taken me a little longer than him to move as the staff at Riverside have been really thorough with getting me ready to go home, making sure it’s all safe and that I’ll be comfortable.” 

Mike Culley, manager at Riverside Care Home, said: “Florence has made remarkable progress since she moved to Riverside in 2021, and the fact she is now healthy enough to be reunited with her husband is a testament to both her and the staff.

“The bespoke, person-centred care we offer at Riverside allowed us to recognise Florence’s desire to live independently and care for herself, and we are so proud that we were able to achieve that.
“We’ll miss having Florence around the home, but after a long and difficult journey, we’re delighted to see her reunited with her devoted husband to spend many more happy years together.” 

Renaissance Care has 17 homes across Scotland in areas including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Lanarkshire.  The private care homes vary in size and style, ranging from small boutique-style residential care homes with 20 rooms to larger purpose-built care homes for assisted living offering specialist nursing and dementia care. 

For more information about Renaissance Care facilities, please visit: Our Homes