Hi
Sadly I lost my wonderful dad to Stomach cancer on December 20th 2015. Dad was 74 and up until 2015 had been a really fit and healthy man. In April he had an infected gallbladder that caused sepsis. After a major opperation and 2 weeks in hospital he was allowed home. Recovery was going well until a family day on August 1st 2015. Dad pulled a muscle playing rounders much to my mums annoyance as she thought he should still be taking things easy. With 10 grandchildren this was not an option for dad. After a few weeks he started hurting around his scar from his earlier op. As his leg was still playing him up he went to the doctors. They sent him for a scan to see if he had damaged his scar internally. Sadly they found tumours on his liver.
After various hospital appointments, biopsies, endoscopy, heart scan and Ct scans. We discovered he had stomach aacarcenoma which had spread to lymph nodes and his liver. On 13th October we were told he had 2 months to live. I attended every appointment with my parents and nothing prepares you to hear the words that someone you love has terminal cancer.
I have 3 brothers and we are a relatively close family in distance and emotionally. Despite the shock and utter despair at the thought of losing our beloved dad we decided to achieve dads bucket list. We managed a few days away in Cornwall . We couldn't arrange for all 20 of us to go so decided it would be the 4 siblings and mum and dad. I can honestly say we had a fantastic time and cherish those memories of being with dad. We managed a firework display at my parents with all 20 of us. Sadly shortly after this dad deteriorated quickly. I took the last 3 weeks of dad's live off work. I . Dad wanted to pass away at home and he got his wish.. Dad was surrounded by his 4 children and our mum. Dad was unrecognisable as he had lost so much weight.ght. Dad's passing was as good as could be expected for the type of cancer he had.
We got through Christmas, surrounding mum with the grandchildren certainly helped. We buried Dad on 6th Jan and it was a beautiful service. The church was packed and as so many people came to say goodbye. Dad didn't realise how many people he made an impact on. Now the reality is setting in that we have to live our lives without dad. I just miss my dad so much . Being the only daughter I had a really special bond with dad. My only child who is a girl also had a really close bond with dad. I've never known pain like this. Despite dealing with everything head on I still can't believe he is no longer here. I'm completing my first marathon in April. When I booked it I had no charity in mind to raise money for. Dad wasn't Ill then. Now I have to run it, to help raise funds for cancer research and Marrie Currie. I hate being in this club as I never asked to join it.i feel guilty every time I leave my mum alone in their house. She has lots of family and friends around her but at the end of the day she is now on her own. I'm fine during the day but come the evening I just sob my heart out. Not sleeping great either. I know it's early days but I just feel so desperately sad. My dad was my hero.
