Agape House will always have a special place in Diane DeRosa’s heart.

Just over a year ago she learnt her son, Troy Caines, had stage four prostate cancer.

Agape House and its support charity, Friends of Hospice, have been there for her family ever since.

“It’s been wonderful for him,” the 73-year-old said. “I’m not a young mother. My husband and I have issues of our own so the time he spends there gets him out of the house and gives me a little break. Because I never had to deal with cancer like this before I was at a loss [when I found out].

“He’s my only child. I kept wondering, ‘What can I do now?’ I would get angry wondering, ‘Why me?’ But the people at Agape House were wonderful. They’re so great with patients.”

The hospice has provided palliative care since 1994. There are nine inpatient beds for terminal patients; caregivers tend to their physical symptoms and “emotional, spiritual and social needs”.

Mr Caines, 55, was given a clean bill of health by doctors until last year.

“He didn’t have regular check-ups like he should have but he was checked five or six months before and he was clear,” Mrs DeRosa said. “We came back from vacation and he said he didn’t feel good. We took him to hospital and he was [given another clean bill of health].

“It wasn’t until a number of weeks later that they told him he had stage four cancer. His doctor was amazed. He doesn’t have that long. I’m thinking this is his last Christmas. He has a lot of tumours in his body and has to go to hospital periodically to get more blood [which] keeps his strength up.”

Her advice is that men keep on top of their health with regular examinations.

“I tell everybody over the age of 45 to get checked out. You never know,” she said.

“And for those like me who are suffering, Friends of Hospice is a good thing. I would really encourage people who are going through anything like what I am to attend [the Saturday support meetings] even if they can’t be there every week. It’s nice to know you’re not the only one going through this.

“Friends of Hospice and Agape House have been so wonderful, really supportive and the volunteers are also wonderful.”

• Agape House opens its doors to residents who are unwell and at home every Monday. Patients are referred by PALS nurses or Sharon Alikhani, the palliative and hospice care physician for Bermuda. Transportation is provided by volunteers from PALS and Friends of Hospice.

• The caregivers programme resumes on Saturday, January 9. For more information telephone 232-0859 or e-mail friendsofhospice@bhb.bm.