My name is Adele and here is my story.

I am raising money for Woolverstone Wish in the memory of my Grandad Bobby who lost his fight to cancer on 11th April 2013.

From the age of 5 I was brought up by my Nan and Grandad until I left home at the age of 18.  So to me Bobby was not any ordinary Grandad, he was my father figure and role model and I treasure the very fond memories I have of him.  I am now 32 and extremely pleased that before he left us I was able to give him 2 beautiful Great Grandchildren who adored him and he did them.

It was in July 2011 my Grandad fell ill and after many tests he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.  As with anyone when I received this news I felt as though my world was being tipped upside down but knew I had to stay strong and support him and my Nan through it all.  In November 2011 my Grandad went in for a major operation to remove the tumour and during this operation it was found the tumour was much larger than originally thought.  He was very close to not surviving the operation however, he pulled through and the doctors were confident they had removed all of the cancer.  After some rest he was getting back to himself again despite having to live with a stoma bag that he would have to have until he was able to have a reversal.

Everything seemed to be going well and my Grandad seemed to be getting back to the man I knew, putting a little weight back on and he was able to do normal everyday things like he always had done.

But in less than a year passing since his major op and having the stoma bag reversal, my Grandad was told that the cancer had returned however, they were unable to operate this time due to many factors and he was given other options.  This seemed to hit me a lot harder this time, probably because I knew they would not be getting rid of this awful disease growing in side of him.  After much discussion with doctors/surgeons it was decided that he would have a stoma bag put back on and he would undergo 5 weeks worth of Radiotherapy, on 27th December he went in for this operation and once well enough he could start the Radiotherapy.

It was after this operation things just seemed to go down hill and at the end of January this year we almost lost him and when he was taken into hospital, we were told to expect the worst because his kidneys were failing.  Fearing this myself & my mum stayed with him over night in hospital as I wanted him to be with someone that loved him dearly if the worst was to happen.  I think someone must have been looking over us that night because he managed to pull back through and after many tests, medications and fluids a week later he was discharged and had started his Radiotherapy.

Due to being so unwell the doctors decided to give him 5 weeks worth of Radiotherapy in 5 days as they felt this would be better in the long run for him. As anyone that has had Radiotherapy will know the effects it can have on the body are not always pleasent and can be strenuious so this for my Grandad was the best way.  He completed his Radiotherapy and it was just a matter of waiting to see if it had worked.  A few weeks passed before we got any news.

It was on Tuesday 9th April 2013 that my heart first lost a beat.  I would speak to my Nan every day since my Grandad had become so unwell and as usual I phoned and asked how everything was not expecting the answer I got.  She asked that I go round with my fiance Craig, without the children, instantly I felt ill.  As soon as Craig got home from work which was within half hour of the phonecall I guess, we dropped the children off and went around to see them.  I knew it wasn't going to be good news.....  We sat down and I looked at my Grandad and said 'whats wrong?', he looked at me and said 'I have been given 6 months at the most, it has spread to the liver and lungs', I just broke down, I knew it wasn't going to be good but never did I expect to hear that!  So many thoughts went through my mind but the shock of it was just too much, what can you say, no words came out just tears.  I just sat there looking at him, trying to take it all in whilst counting the months in my head.  How on earth do you deal with knowing this is going to happen, let alone having to tell your loved ones, I can not even comprehend it.  After talking for a few hours we left and I hugged him like never before and said goodbye.

On Thursday 11th April an ambulance was called to him as he was really unwell and he told my Nan and my Auntie who was there he wanted to go in to hospital to be put on a drip and built up again so he could fight longer.  A doctor went out to him and told my Auntie he was deterating and that it would be the smaller months.  

It was at 15:41 that time stood still as I received a phonecall from a nurse at the hospital telling me my Grandad had taken a turn for the worse and I should get there as soon as I could and notify any one else I felt should be there.  It seemed like a lifetime getting to the hospital which is only a 10 minute car journey and in my heart I knew I was too late.

Sadly at 15:40 my Grandad had lost his fight and was taken from us.  This was the worst day of my life, my heart was broken and I knew things would never be the same.  Never did I imagine that 2 days after being told he had 6 months to live he would no longer be here.  I am glad I did get to see him on this day and although it is not a pleasant experience it is one I know if I hadn't of done I would regret.

I visited him at the Chapel of Rest twice and on Wednesday 1st May we all said our final goodbye's as he was laid to rest and I am sure we did him proud with what was a lovely service.  There is always going to be a gap in my life knowing he is no longer here but his memory will live on forever in my heart and he will never be forgotten.

Woolverstone Wish is a charity that as a family we chose for donations in my Grandads memory to go to from his funeral.  The Woolverstone Wing is where he would go for his appointments and treatment and I am grateful for all they did for my Grandad.  I now want to give something back and help other families that are going through what we have, together we can help ease the darkest of days.  If you would like to find out more about Woolverstone Wish please follow this link: http://www.woolverstonewish.org.uk/

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure.  Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails.  Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.  So it's the most efficient way to donate - I can raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

The last thing for me to say is thank you for reading and for any donations that are received no matter how big or small.