Stephanie Edwards was encouraged to have her own adventures by her husband Chris, who sadly passed away in 2017. Staying true to his wish, Stephanie has trekked both in Cambodia and Jordan in order to raise vital funds for Salisbury Hospice Charity.
Her most recent adventure was a challenging 5-day trek through the Jordan desert from the Dead Sea to Petra, a place she never imagine visiting. Below Stephanie describes her experience.
“It was a fabulous experience and one I will never forget! I have clambered over rough and steep terrain in temperatures of over 35 degrees, sidled along scary narrow ledges next to sheer drops trying not to look down, braved 5-day old portaloos, rescued my tent from blowing away overnight in a howling gale and taken on rather large amounts of sand! I’ve also trekked alongside the bravest, funniest, most determined and supportive group of women I could ever hope to meet, eaten beautiful food prepared in a tent for us at the beginning and end of every day, slept outside under the stars and seen the most incredible beautiful landscapes and, of course, Petra – a place I’d never imagined I’d visit and couldn’t quite believe I was there.,
I’m so happy to have been able to raise such a good amount for the Hospice, it was so much more than I expected after people were so generous when Chris passed away and again a year later when I trekked in Cambodia. It’s a testament to how much people loved him. I’ll never forget the kindness you all showed us both there in his last days.”
Stephanie’s Story
“Chris was my husband. He passed away in November 2017 after a very short illness. Barely a month before that we had been putting things in place to pursue our retirement dreams when Chris started to feel ill. Investigations showed that he had cancer which had spread to almost everywhere in his body and there was no possibility of any treatment that would prolong his life.
During his last very few weeks we did at least have a chance to talk about things. We talked so calmly and sensibly about everything, I sometimes look back and wonder how we just accepted it all and remained so calm, there were tears of course but I think we were both in shock and realised we didn’t have much time. Chris told me he had managed to hoard some savings that he wanted me to use to have my own adventures. He knew I had always fancied visiting Vietnam and Cambodia and wanted me to use the money for that. At the time of course it was the last thing on my mind.
Chris’s illness was progressing so rapidly that with the best will in the world, the agencies sent in to help couldn’t keep up. He was becoming too weak to climb the stairs. We had morphine but the maximum dose, I was told to give him didn’t touch his pain, he begged me for more but I was afraid of giving him too much. It was on one of those long nights when all I could do was stand by helplessly and watch him rolling around in agony that I had to take a difficult decision, Chris needed to be with medically qualified people who could give him the help that I couldn’t.
As soon as we stepped into the room at Salisbury Hospice we both agreed that it was absolutely the right decision. Chris had already experienced a horrible time in hospital and had been afraid it would be like that but it couldn’t have been more different. The room was like a little guest room with en-suite and a little courtyard and everyone was so kind to us both. Staff immediately set about relieving his pain and discomfort and were so kind to me, we all knew he was near the end and I didn’t want to leave his side for a minute but nobody ever made me feel I was in the way. They found me a camp bed, slipped me the odd sandwich or meal whenever there was some left over and even gave me a cuddle when I needed it most. We had only been there about four days when Chris finally passed away but I’ve never forgotten the relief and gratitude I felt to have that back up, or the kindness that we received. I can’t bear to think how it would have been if not for that incredible support which is why I always choose to raise funds for the Hospice during these challenges so that others in that terrible situation will hopefully continue to benefit.
Almost exactly a year after the day Chris passed away I was on a plane to Cambodia. The email from Dream Challenges had popped into my inbox (Chris and I had taken part in a cycle challenge to India with them in 2008) and after our conversation and with the date coinciding with his first “anniversary” it just felt like it was meant to be. It was very emotional of course but the thing is with these challenges, every single person there has their own personal reasons for wanting to take part and raise funds for a charity of their choice and I was no different in that respect. I’m not really someone who finds it easy to join in with big groups of people but this sort of challenge brings everyone together in a very special and unique way, you share each other’s emotional highs and and you really do make friends for life. Loos, blisters, the joys of camping… all challenges in their own right and all very levelling!
Cambodia was very different to Jordan, the terrain was much easier with just the one mountain and the heat less, although it was more humid. The country and people are beautiful and I learned a lot about their harrowing recent history and their way of life. It’s been over three years now but we all still talk to each other on the WhatsApp group and everyone wished me well in Jordan. I’m thinking off cycling the Nile next year (hoping it will be flat!) although, I’m not much of a cyclist and aware that I’m not getting any younger, also that people will probably get fed up with my fundraising eventually although I’ve been bowled over by the amount I raised on this, essentially the third occasion, in memory of Chris.”
We would like to say a huge thank you and congratulations to Stephanie on such an incredible achievement. Her generous support of Salisbury Hospice is appreciated by the whole team, here at the hospice!
