Initially, my Dad was given six months. He was determined he was going to make the most of the time he had left, and that’s exactly what he did.
There are many things that became important to us as a family two of which was the holistic treatments that we could get my Dad into at the Beatson, sitting looking out the window on the 4th Floor watching the world go by whilst relaxing and having a biscuit and a cuppa.
My Dad started to look forward to his visits at the Wellbeing Centre this was the few occasions he honestly looked the most relaxed.
I now realise that we could not have managed without the help and support we got from the Beatson.
My dad had a very down-to-earth approach to things. He talked about a few things he was upset about, like not seeing his grandkids grow up and have children of their own. I used to wonder how he had the courage and strength to talk about things like that. He faced everything head on.
I would say the emptiness only really kicked in after my dad passed away. There was so much happening when he was in the house, so much going on and so much for me to think about. I didn’t really have time to think about what it would be like when he was not here. It’s not until after he had gone, and you are sitting in the house that it really hits you, or those quiet moments when you hear or see something that he would have been interested in that it really hits home that you will never be able to hear his laugh or talk to him or even hear him moan about anything at all. I would love just to have one more moment back just to tell him I love him.
He is never far from my mind. Especially when I am driving home and I spot the birds of prey on the M80, I find myself speaking to him or asking him questions. I’m sure some people must think I am off my head but it helps me.
Cancer effects so many people more than we think, lets try and help cure this awful disease