A CARER from Sully has shared her experiences of looking after her terminally ill mother as part of Carer's Week 2017.

Sandra Clode, 49, wanted to share her story to raise awareness of the work done by Marie Curie whose Cardiff and Vale hospice is based in Bridgeman Road, Penarth.

Sandra admits she could not be as a good a carer for her mum were it not for the support she has received from Marie Curie.

"I think being a carer for family; it changes you as a person," she said.

"I’ve got a couple of friends who have said 'you are absolutely fantastic, you are amazing' but I’m not, I’m just me. It’s just who I am.

She has been caring for her mum at home for the past three months.

Prior to that Helen, 72, been in hospital for eight and a half months.

She is living with a fractured and dislocated hip, an infection and tear in the bowel and a growing fistula, which cannot be repaired.

Her’s condition is terminal, but she has not been given a prognosis.

Sandra says she now has to be her "mum’s legs" as she is not mobile.

"Her condition is terminal, so it’s just a waiting game," she said.

"They can’t repair the bowel, so we are making her as comfortable as possible."

"Mum has perked up quite a bit since she’s been home, it’s made such a difference to how she feels in herself."

"Being home is the best medicine for anybody, but having that support network makes it so much easier."

Sandra, who has also worked as a carer, keeps in touch with Marie Curie with a weekly phone call and home visits from Liz Hayles, community nursing service nurse manager and clinical nurse specialist, to check on manage her mum’s symptoms and also Sandra’s welfare.

Sandra also attends the carers’ cafe at the charity’s Cardiff and the Vale Hospice in Penarth twice a month, which provides her with emotional support.

"I felt a bit guilty about some of the feelings I was getting, about it getting on top of me, that I shouldn’t be feeling like that," she said.

"It’s a pretty full on, intense situation to be in, so having Marie Curie there, even if they are just in the background – it’s something that makes life that little less scary."

The family is also set to get further support, with the charity’s helper service currently looking for a volunteer to match with Helen, to provide her with companionship meaning Sandra can go back to her line dancing class – which her mum got her into.

"We’ve always been close, but I think it’s an absolute privilege to look after her, because she’s done so much for me over the years, to actually return that favour and have that time with her without feeling guilty about anything, and being able to think I haven’t got to rush off, we can do whatever we want," she said.

"We’ve got to make the most of the time we’ve got left. It amazes me how strong mum is, she never complains."