PLYMOUTH HOSPITALS CHARITY

In memory of Chris Sissons

Terri Sissons-Serjeant

Terri Sissons-Serjeant

Fundraising in memory of Christopher Sissons

My Story

Chris knew the best place for his care was on Avon Ward so any contribution in memory of his name would be welcome so we are able to give a little something back to the team that supported and cared for Chris during the past year and during previous admissions. Thank you.

Chris was Born on the 1st of May 1981 in Weymouth.

On the evening of Chris’s birth jaundice (yellowing of the skin) was noticed; monitoring & investigations took place, firstly at Portwey & Dorchester Hospitals followed by ‘The Belgrave Children’s hospital’ in London which was part of Kings College Hospital at that time. This was a very worrying and difficult period because Chris’s diagnosis took a little while and the not knowing seemed to last forever!!

Eventually, we were told that Chris had Neo-Natal Hepatitis, which meant that Chris’s liver was inflamed, he was very poorly, but Drs were hopeful that Chris’s condition would gradually improve enough for Chris to lead a normal life.

Around 5 months old weakness on the left side was noticed with a small, clenched fist. His paediatrician recommended physiotherapy to support so this began immediately. At 2 years it was explained that Chris had Cerebral Palsy expressed as Left Hemiplegia where his left hand was prominently affected along with his left leg. Speech and development were also delayed.

Chris was full of determination, he had no fear, he would practice standing and taking steps continually or getting in and out of things or on top of things. When he fell he brushed it off, got up and tried again. He attended a Special School for Physically disabled children where he experienced a wide range of activities to support his needs alongside the normal school curriculum. Classes were small and each child was given 1:1 support according to their needs. Chris loved the interactions with others and became a very sociable, loveable child.

Eventually Chris’s liver settled, the jaundice disappeared and apart from being monitored intermittently by Kings College Hospital London and his paediatrician he needed little medical care and intervention. However, Chris always needed support of varying kinds throughout his life due to his disability.

Chris’s health stayed reasonably stable until the mid-2000s when blood results began to show abnormal readings, he went under Derriford and investigations led him back under Hepatology.  Life for Chris began to change; nevertheless, Chris always stayed positive and thought this was a normal part of life so he took it in his stride.

As time moved on he began to regularly get infections especially in the legs which presented as cellulitis. Hepatology monitored Chris regularly, where he would have bloods, scans and other investigations to support monitoring his condition.

Then, in 2017 a tooth infection went from bad to worse. Antibiotics were used to treat the infection but these affected his Liver. Chris suffered a life threating allergic reaction to antibiotic treatment. Chris became very jaundiced and unwell developing sepsis. Chris never fully recovered back to his old self, his mobility was affected and he became less active. Infections became more frequent so he was regularly in and out of hospital. Chris considered the Consultants he had got to know well as ‘his doctors’ and referred to them as so; so he was often reluctant to see anyone else. Dr Vine and Dr Acevedo who had treated him in 2017 were the ‘best’ he named them the ‘A Team’ and wasn’t shy to let others know!!

After being so ill in 2017 Chris of course had some good times continuing to get out and about but his life had changed and he had begun to ask for more help. Chris became more dependent on his mum and his family. Something Chris found very hard because he valued and cared about his independence so much that he worried about losing it!! Care Company staff became Chris’s friends and lifeline. Chris was now living with Chronic Liver Disease which was very sensitive to illness and medications.

On Chris’s 44th birthday on the 1st of May 2025 he was taken into hospital with an infection, the situation went from bad to worse. Chris was placed in the Southwest Liver Unit on Avon Ward. Whilst doctors tried to treat the infections antibiotics impacted his Liver again. Chris was seriously ill and extremely jaundiced. We were told at points during his stay that Chris may not get through this, he was given a diagnosis of ‘Acute on Chronic Liver Disease’, We did not know if he was going to live. The Doctors and staff on Avon ward worked a miracle, Chris’s condition began to improve. Alongside this, Chris reconnected with family from all sides. He had visits and phone calls which gave him purpose and a reason to live. Chris went from eating virtually nothing at one point to the biggest meals ever and he loved his fizzy drinks!! Chris got stronger and more determined and eventually got himself well enough to go home. We are so grateful and thankful to each and every one of you, you gave Chris time and hope in his hour of need.

Chris got well enough to walk with his gutter frame and enjoy Christmas 2025 somewhat. It was a little different than previous years, we went to his home and did what Chris wanted. We chatted and laughed and enjoyed scrabble and family time together.

Sadly, after Christmas Chris’s health deteriorated more and life got more difficult for him, he had been readmitted to hospital several times before moving to a care home for a few days. Soon after he was readmitted to hospital with heart failure. Initially he travelled to varying wards impacting the hearts of those who cared for him. However, eventually Chris returned to Avon ward where he spent his last week’s knowing that ‘his doctors’ as he told me were there for him. Thank you to each and every Doctor and Consultant but special thanks to Dr Stewart Macdonald who Chris was under in his last days. Thank you to the nurses, nursing staff, hospital staff and all the professionals who cared and looked after Chris throughout his time at Derriford. There are so many of you I cannot thank you all individually but please know we are grateful to you all. Many of you will remember Chris, he may have called you by your name or he may have assigned you a name and once given that was what he called you!!

Chris enjoyed his life, he had fun and laughter, he was a real character with a big smiley grin that could melt your heart. He lived in the moment of time, what was important to Chris was the ‘here and now’. His focus was always on what was happening at that immediate time. He said it how it was and at times did not mince his words, he was open and honest. He was strong willed, determined and resilient but life was short and he was taken away far too soon. He was such a big part of my life and I miss him every day, he will be forever in my heart.

£368

Raised so far

  • Raised so far
    £368
  • Number of donors
    10

My Story

Chris knew the best place for his care was on Avon Ward so any contribution in memory of his name would be welcome so we are able to give a little something back to the team that supported and cared for Chris during the past year and during previous admissions. Thank you.

Chris was Born on the 1st of May 1981 in Weymouth.

On the evening of Chris’s birth jaundice (yellowing of the skin) was noticed; monitoring & investigations took place, firstly at Portwey & Dorchester Hospitals followed by ‘The Belgrave Children’s hospital’ in London which was part of Kings College Hospital at that time. This was a very worrying and difficult period because Chris’s diagnosis took a little while and the not knowing seemed to last forever!!

Eventually, we were told that Chris had Neo-Natal Hepatitis, which meant that Chris’s liver was inflamed, he was very poorly, but Drs were hopeful that Chris’s condition would gradually improve enough for Chris to lead a normal life.

Around 5 months old weakness on the left side was noticed with a small, clenched fist. His paediatrician recommended physiotherapy to support so this began immediately. At 2 years it was explained that Chris had Cerebral Palsy expressed as Left Hemiplegia where his left hand was prominently affected along with his left leg. Speech and development were also delayed.

Chris was full of determination, he had no fear, he would practice standing and taking steps continually or getting in and out of things or on top of things. When he fell he brushed it off, got up and tried again. He attended a Special School for Physically disabled children where he experienced a wide range of activities to support his needs alongside the normal school curriculum. Classes were small and each child was given 1:1 support according to their needs. Chris loved the interactions with others and became a very sociable, loveable child.

Eventually Chris’s liver settled, the jaundice disappeared and apart from being monitored intermittently by Kings College Hospital London and his paediatrician he needed little medical care and intervention. However, Chris always needed support of varying kinds throughout his life due to his disability.

Chris’s health stayed reasonably stable until the mid-2000s when blood results began to show abnormal readings, he went under Derriford and investigations led him back under Hepatology.  Life for Chris began to change; nevertheless, Chris always stayed positive and thought this was a normal part of life so he took it in his stride.

As time moved on he began to regularly get infections especially in the legs which presented as cellulitis. Hepatology monitored Chris regularly, where he would have bloods, scans and other investigations to support monitoring his condition.

Then, in 2017 a tooth infection went from bad to worse. Antibiotics were used to treat the infection but these affected his Liver. Chris suffered a life threating allergic reaction to antibiotic treatment. Chris became very jaundiced and unwell developing sepsis. Chris never fully recovered back to his old self, his mobility was affected and he became less active. Infections became more frequent so he was regularly in and out of hospital. Chris considered the Consultants he had got to know well as ‘his doctors’ and referred to them as so; so he was often reluctant to see anyone else. Dr Vine and Dr Acevedo who had treated him in 2017 were the ‘best’ he named them the ‘A Team’ and wasn’t shy to let others know!!

After being so ill in 2017 Chris of course had some good times continuing to get out and about but his life had changed and he had begun to ask for more help. Chris became more dependent on his mum and his family. Something Chris found very hard because he valued and cared about his independence so much that he worried about losing it!! Care Company staff became Chris’s friends and lifeline. Chris was now living with Chronic Liver Disease which was very sensitive to illness and medications.

On Chris’s 44th birthday on the 1st of May 2025 he was taken into hospital with an infection, the situation went from bad to worse. Chris was placed in the Southwest Liver Unit on Avon Ward. Whilst doctors tried to treat the infections antibiotics impacted his Liver again. Chris was seriously ill and extremely jaundiced. We were told at points during his stay that Chris may not get through this, he was given a diagnosis of ‘Acute on Chronic Liver Disease’, We did not know if he was going to live. The Doctors and staff on Avon ward worked a miracle, Chris’s condition began to improve. Alongside this, Chris reconnected with family from all sides. He had visits and phone calls which gave him purpose and a reason to live. Chris went from eating virtually nothing at one point to the biggest meals ever and he loved his fizzy drinks!! Chris got stronger and more determined and eventually got himself well enough to go home. We are so grateful and thankful to each and every one of you, you gave Chris time and hope in his hour of need.

Chris got well enough to walk with his gutter frame and enjoy Christmas 2025 somewhat. It was a little different than previous years, we went to his home and did what Chris wanted. We chatted and laughed and enjoyed scrabble and family time together.

Sadly, after Christmas Chris’s health deteriorated more and life got more difficult for him, he had been readmitted to hospital several times before moving to a care home for a few days. Soon after he was readmitted to hospital with heart failure. Initially he travelled to varying wards impacting the hearts of those who cared for him. However, eventually Chris returned to Avon ward where he spent his last week’s knowing that ‘his doctors’ as he told me were there for him. Thank you to each and every Doctor and Consultant but special thanks to Dr Stewart Macdonald who Chris was under in his last days. Thank you to the nurses, nursing staff, hospital staff and all the professionals who cared and looked after Chris throughout his time at Derriford. There are so many of you I cannot thank you all individually but please know we are grateful to you all. Many of you will remember Chris, he may have called you by your name or he may have assigned you a name and once given that was what he called you!!

Chris enjoyed his life, he had fun and laughter, he was a real character with a big smiley grin that could melt your heart. He lived in the moment of time, what was important to Chris was the ‘here and now’. His focus was always on what was happening at that immediate time. He said it how it was and at times did not mince his words, he was open and honest. He was strong willed, determined and resilient but life was short and he was taken away far too soon. He was such a big part of my life and I miss him every day, he will be forever in my heart.