Hospital fulfils terminally ill patient's wish to visit seaside
Northwick Park Hospital’s intensive care team has met the wishes of a terminally ill patient to visit the seaside.
Renowned economist Laza Kekic spent the day in Brighton with his wife Joan where the couple shared many happy memories.
The couple were joined on the seafront by family and friends including Laza’s four children Natalia, Maria, Tanya and Luka.
Mr Kekic, 62, has spent the past four months in hospital having been airlifted back to the UK after falling ill on holiday.
Mr Kekic, the former Regional Director for Europe and Director of Country Forecasting Services at The Economist Intelligence Unit, struggled with pneumonia, sepsis and multi-organ failure before further investigation revealed pancreatic cancer.
The couple were accompanied by consultant Mike Dean and nurse Julius Lukban courtesy of the Ambulance Wish Foundation.
The foundation gives terminally ill patients the resources, transport and medical care they need to fulfil their final wishes.
Dr Dean, an intensive care consultant who has been looking after Mr Kekic, said: “Few intensive care patients are stable enough to travel outside a hospital environment so it called for something out of the ordinary to help Laza.
“It’s been a team effort between the Ambulance Wish Foundation, the hospital’s nursing and medical teams and Laza’s wife.”
Joan added: “It’s been very tough but we’re trying to make each day as good as possible. Laza’s determination and positive outlook are an inspiration.
“We’re grateful to all the doctors and nurses at St Mark’s and Northwick Park for their fantastic care and the Ambulance Wish Foundation.”
The couple’s favourite Brighton hotel, Jury’s Inn, generously agreed to provide a sea view room as a base from which the couple could visit the sea front.
Joan added: “It was a brilliant day regardless of the weather.”