Dear all,
A third Christmas without my beautiful mum - and I'm sorry to say that time doesn't always heal. I'm sure those that loved mum feel the same. This year I feel such sadness that Mum didn't see Ruby start school or watch her sing Twinkle Twinkle in the Nativity play. Mum missed Cara's second birthday (and the trials and tribulations of her sometimes hilarious potty training) and the births of our beautiful boys, Sam and Will.
Mum - I love you and miss you!
JAN'S STORY
It was August 2007 when our world was turned upside down. Mum’s ongoing backache was more serious than anyone could have imagined. Mum had cervical cancer.
A scary round of CT and MRI scans followed, which Mum faced with uncomplaining grace. But by mid August, we were told Mum’s cancer was advanced (stage 4) and was only treatable not curable. What...! This couldn’t be true... It seemed so unfair; Jan was only 55 and had everything to live for... She was celebrating the birth of her second granddaughter Cara. And, toasting Ruby’s second birthday.
Despite her petite frame and pretty features, Mum was a fighter...! She wasn’t going to take the news lying down.
She met each new terrifying ordeal head-on! And, amazingly, after two bouts of chemotherapy, we were told her tumour had shrunk from 5 to 3cm, and had all but vanished from her lymph nodes. Yay, this was music to our ears...!
Sadly, after her third bout of chemo things weren’t so rosy. Mum’s kidneys had begun to sag – a fairly routine set back. A stent operation followed, however, Mum never fully recovered. And, so we faced more heartbreaking news... The tumour was back and fiercer than ever. It was the tumour that was causing Mum’s kidneys to fail. Mum was told that she could have an operation to extend her life by three to four weeks. Mum chose not to take this option – a courageous and dignified decision!
Mum’s diary entry: “Friday December 7th: Not such good news, means we’ve got to fight harder – which we will! Worried about Mick, Ali and Ju – God, please watch over them and make me better. I love them all so very much!”
We brought Mum home from hospital on Tuesday December 11th... She sat on her sofa; had a foaming bubble bath; and was surrounded by her family whom she adored! Devastatingly, Mum’s journey came to an end on Sunday December 16th at 11.55pm. She always loved Sundays...
Mick, Ali and Ju have decided to set up this fundraising page to help raise money for Jo’s Trust. A charity dedicated to helping women and people affected by cervical cancer.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate: Jo's Trust will receive your money electronically and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.
FEEDBACK
Please contact Julia on juliawhittaker@hotmail.com if you experience any problems with this page. Or if you'd like to suggest any improvements.
