Terminally ill mom fulfills last wish by taking son to the zoo

Liene Pastore, 49, was shocked to discover four weeks ago that her cancer had spread much faster than anticipated.

Doctors said she is now terminally ill - and estimated that she only has weeks to live.

The mom-of-one, from Watford, Herts., decided that it was time to move out of her home with her husband and son and into a supported home.

Her GP helped transfer her to Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care. And that was when staff made one of her dreams come true.

One of the doctors at the facility asked Liene if there was anything special she wanted to do - and she mentioned the idea of a trip to the zoo.

Soon after, Liene, her husband, and their son Noah were enjoying a VIP visit at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Beds.

Liene said: "My husband had been caring for me at home but it was not a good set-up.

“My body was very weak - but my son wanted me to go out with him and play.

“When my GP suggested I was transferred to the Inpatient Unit at Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care, I just knew it was the right thing for us.”

Discussing the trip, she continued: “The trip was so well organized. We had the opportunity to feed giraffes, elephants, and lemurs.

“Noah saw all these big animals - he was so overwhelmed and so happy. He was able to feed the giraffes a big willow branch.

"He was almost tussling with the giraffe as it pulled on the huge branch. It was so funny.

“Noah loves elephants. They are his favorite animals. He was so excited to see them.

“It was nice for me to see his excitement when he saw the newborn elephant and to see how happy he was.

“It was a really lovely day out. I’m so grateful to the hospice for arranging that for us.”

Inpatient unit nurse Ellie Grant, who has been looking after Liene, said: “Something like this zoo trip is what we are all about at Rennie Grove Peace; helping people to live well, enjoy the things they still enjoy, and go about life in a way that feels comforting, fun and safe.

“We love being able to help families create meaningful, loving, long-lasting memories that are personal to them.”

Another of Liene's final wishes is to raise funds to help other people benefit from the same care and support she has received at Rennie Grove Peace.

The mom said: “The kindness here at Rennie Grove Peace has mentally boosted me. My body is giving me lots of trouble but spiritually and mentally I feel very strong at the moment. I just love life for life. Just being alive.

“Hearing the birdsong, looking out at the garden, seeing flowers. I can enjoy it all. So I guess that’s why I’m still here.”

She added: “Every person I’ve met here shows kindness. People do it with love, from the heart.

"Staff and volunteers also have time to care. They can sit and spend some time talking. That’s different from my experience in hospitals.”

Liene was shocked to discover that the hospice only receives 14 percent of its funding from the government - with the rest raised by the generosity of the community.

She immediately decided to start raising funds - and organized a 10-mile charity walk which more than 25 people took part in earlier this month.

They have so far raised $5,803 of a $7,500 target - but donations can still be made here.

Director of fundraising Tracey Hancock said: “Liene’s wish is to raise funds for Rennie Grove Peace to give something back while she is being cared for in our Inpatient Unit.

“We call on anyone in the community to give what they can and help Liene achieve her wishes to fundraise, so that more patients can be looked after by us.”