Abi Stock
Abi's page
Fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support
Story
2018 was an extremely tough year for me and my family after my dad, aged 54, was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in early March.
Initially, the doctors thought it was gallstones but after having a scan they discovered a tumour. Heartbreakingly, my mum and dad came home that evening to deliver the news to my brother and I, that he had been diagnosed with one of the most deadly cancers in the world... and that moment was where our lives changed for the worst.
He began his chemotherapy treatment in April to reduce the size of the tumour and to try and move it away from the vein it was wrapped around, which could hopefully enable him to have the surgery he was so desperate for.
During this time the importance of the macmillan nurses really shone through, when we had any worries about why dad was having these side affects, they would advise us on what to do, how to make him more comfortable and whether to take him to hospital or not. They really did make you feel like you were not alone in this horrendous journey.
In early August dad was granted the operation he desperately needed, it was now or never, the chemo wasn't making enough of an impact. We were relieved we might finally get the chance to fight this thing off.
August bank holiday and dad had the long and tough operation, but after a number of post op problems too complex to explain he spent a month in critical care fighting for his life operation after operation, procedure after procedure, bad news after bad news. On 23rd September my dad passed away surrounded by his close family. Devastated and heartbroken just doesn't begin to cut it.
Little did I know at the time, but the last conversation I had with my dad in hospital, was to tell him I had seen the York Charity Race applications were out! He could hardly talk, he was ever so poorly but he looked up at me, smiled and said 'go for it, I will be there'.
Dad was a racehorse owner himself, the day after he was diagnosed my brother, Harry, rode our horse to victory providing him with his first ever winner as a sole owner. The week before he went into hospital our horse was due to run up at Perth, where he made the long journey up to watch an emotional winner, this was the last time dad saw Harry ride and the last time he saw his horse run. He really did love his racing.
Every £213 donated could pay for a Macmillan nurse for a whole day, helping people living with cancer and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional support.
