My younger brother aged 31, died very suddenly and unexpectadly from a massive heart attack caused by undiagnosed leukaemia. I was working overseas at the time and received the phone call in the middle of the night. The flight back to attend my brother's funeral was awful. I then had to return to my job overseas immediately after. I had no time to grieve with the rest of my family and friends. Two years ago, my best friend was diagnosed with cancer. By the time the diagnosis had been made it was so wide-spread there was little they could do except try to make her comfortable. She was given 6 months to live. She died almost 6 months to the day. Her funeral was on my birthday. I spent most of that last 6 months with her and we talked about so many things. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to spend that time with her, even though it was horrifically traumatic. Again, I was away from family as I lived and worked overseas. 

Upon my return to the UK I was met at the airport by my dad with the news that my mum had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. She has now completed treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) and has recovered very well.

It is hitting me hard now that the two people I would talk to about all of this, (my brother and my best friend) are not here. I miss them.