Story
<p><em>Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.</em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So as a lot of you know I have cast aside my trusty heels and finally invested in some trainers to run the London Marathon 2012. I am often questioning what I have got myself in to but my aim is to raise money for the Prince and Princess of Wales hospice, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a charity which is very close to me and my family. </span></span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To tell you a bit about my story firstly you should know that my brother, Stephen died of cancer last year. Aged 34. Writing this makes it feel even more real. Like I have to have an acceptance of what happened. I don’t. I never want to. </span></span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stephen was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2009. I will never forget that day. It seemed impossible. How could it be happening to us? Our family? Surely he was too young? He was living in London, working in the Foreign Office with his whole life ahead of him or so we thought….</span></span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fight began.</span></span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stephen went home to Glasgow where he was admitted to the Beatson clinic, a cancer specialist hospital. He endured months of intensive chemo and radiotherapy. The pain, physically and mentally was horrific. However, in February 2010 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the doctors were confident that they had shrunk the tumour enough to operate. There was hope. </span></span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a 12 hour operation the weeks went by. The surgeons were pleased with the result. The cancer had been removed. It was only the recovery process now…at least that’s what we were told.</span></span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wounds never healed though. His immune system was failing. </span></span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the 28 June 2010, Stephen’s 34 birthday, we were told the cancer was terminal. He was given 6-18months to live. </span></span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stephen deteriorated far quicker though. Those memories are so painful that I cannot even begin to share. </span></span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was then that the Hospice offered their help. </span></span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stephen was admitted <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice at the beginning of August. Throughout all the pain and suffering we found a place that we could be with Stephen 24 hours a day. A place that allowed him to live his last days as peacefully as possible. A place where there was people on hand constantly, to relieve his suffering. They supported my family in the most extreme pain. They counselled us. Allowed us to talk about our fears. Offered us a shoulder to cry on when things became too much. They shared our memories. Helped us laugh even when we thought it was impossible to do so anymore and offered us beds when we couldn’t bear to leave Stephens side. Most importantly they saw my brother as a person not just a patient. </span></span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stephen died on the 26 August 2010. My Mum and I were holding his hands. I didn’t just lose my brother that day, I lost my best friend.</span></span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I cannot ever thank the doctors, nurses and carers enough for what they did for my family. For that I will be eternally grateful. Please help me raise money so that they can continue to help others the way they did us. The organisation runs free of charge depending entirely on the generosity of its supporters to raise the £2.8 million that is required annually to maintain it.</span></span></em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> My family and I , and all the staff and patients are grateful for your help!</span></span></em></p>