When I Come Here, I Feel Like I’m Living Again” – Evaldas’ Story at Galway Hospice

From Lithuania to Ireland

I’ve been in Ireland for about 19 or 20 years now. I’m originally from Lithuania. Before coming here, I worked in Denmark, always in construction. That’s my trade — building and tiling. When I first arrived, my English was absolutely zero. It was very difficult. Back then, there was no internet — we used a big Lithuanian-English dictionary to try and understand things.

But I worked with Irish people, and slowly, bit by bit, my English got better. After about 10 years, I started working for myself, mostly doing tiling — kitchens, bathrooms — that kind of work.

When My Health Changed

In 2023, I started feeling a bit unwell. I went for blood tests and a CT scan, and they found a large tumour in my kidney. It was very serious, and surgery was not possible — they had to remove the kidney. At first, it seemed okay. I went for regular scans. But then in April 2024, they found something again — this time in my lungs.

I tried immunotherapy, but it didn’t help. I had bad side effects, and the tumours kept growing. Before Christmas, I ended up in the emergency room. I had bleeding and stayed in hospital for a long time. After that, everything got worse — pain in my joints, no strength. I spent about two months in hospital.

I don’t know how things will go. Sometimes, when I’m at home, I panic a bit. But I’m alive, and that’s something.

My Family and Support

My daughter speaks very good English, but she’s studying abroad now. She finished college in Ireland, then studied in Cork, and now she’s in Germany and Austria, doing biochemistry. She’s very smart. Recently, she came back to visit for the holidays, and I was so happy. My wife is here with me all the time — she speaks only a little English. She used to work part-time cleaning houses, but since my illness, she stopped everything to care for me.

Discovering Galway Hospice

I’ve been coming to Galway Hospice for Day Care every Wednesday. It’s very, very nice. The nurses are so kind, really like sisters or mothers. One of them said, “Would you like to try the jacuzzi?” So I tried it — it was great. Last time, I had aromatherapy. Very relaxing.

At home, it’s always the same, but here I feel a small change — I meet other people like me. We talk a little, share a bit. It helps. I really didn’t know what to expect from the Hospice. The social worker from the hospital introduced me, and I decided to try. I live about 50 km from Galway, but they bring me here for the day. I’m very happy to be here.

What Palliative Care Means to Me

The Hospice helps not only with health but with everything around — emotional, practical.

At home, I don’t need a nurse yet. My wife helps me with everything — food, the stairs, day-to-day care. We’ve always been together.

Martina, the nurse from the Hospice, comes to check on me once a week — takes my blood pressure, checks on my skin problems, organises creams. Always asking how I am. It’s really good support.

If I had to explain what palliative care means — for me, it’s 100% high quality. Really high quality. Everyone here is friendly, understanding. I know my health is not good, maybe I have a few months, maybe a year — but when I come here, I don’t think about that.

Finding Peace and Joy

The Hospice changes your mindset. You don’t just sit at home with your thoughts. Here, I feel like I’m living again. I forget my problems. I see people like me. I feel peace.

This place is very special. The volunteers too — they work with their hearts. Always helping. Always smiling. I’m really, really happy.

When I first came here, I told my wife and daughter — I couldn’t believe how kind everyone was. They were so happy for me too.

I don’t know about other hospices in Ireland, but in Galway — it’s amazing. I’m grateful every single time I come.

Evaldas – Galway Hospice Patient