When my dad, Roy was diagnosed with cancer, we all said “don’t worry. You’ll be just fine. You’re as strong as an ox and you’ll get through this” My dad's treatment went really well, he had a major course of chemotherapy ahead of him and after a year of treatment, they decided to go down the operating route. My dad had cancer of the esophagus which meant the surgeon would have to remove a large portion of dad’s esophagus that contained the cancer, along with a portion of the upper part of dads stomach! This meant that my dad would stand the best chance of surviving the cancer but as many who knew my dad, he LOVED his food and this meant he’d never be able to enjoy his food the same way again, but it was his only option and he’d done so well so decided to proceed. 

After the operation, dad seemed good and it wasn’t long before dad was given the all clear and my family and I were over the moon. After 18 months of dad fighting cancer, he was slowly getting “out the woods” and dad and our family started to imagine getting back to a life and routine that we’d all had before the diagnosis. Sadly, the following September, I received a call from dad, saying that he’d consulted with the doctors and sadly there was nothing else they could do. The cancer had returned and there was no alternative route for a cure. This for me and my family was the biggest shock. We never ever thought, even after dad being diagnosed, that he would loose the fight. He was the strongest man I ever knew, I thought if anyone could beat it, it would be my dad!. 

At this point I was living in London and it wasn’t long before I decided it was time to head home and spend time with my family and my dad. We had Christmas, spent time together and enjoyed what time we had left. Sadly, after Christmas, dad’s health deteriorated  dramatically and we lost our funny, wonderful, life and soul of the party in the early hours of Sunday 5th February 2017. 

My dad was such an amazing man. He was somebody I always turned to for support and advice with decisions I would need to make. He was a fountain of knowledge and I miss him every single day. He was the man who gave me my love of the outdoors, interesting facts and attitude to always stand and fight for what I truly believed in. He was the man who always said he HATED Christmas, but he was always the first up, prepping the veg and cracking open the bubbly! Christmases are and never will be the same without him. Our dad, Roy Thomas. 

I’ll be thinking of my dad throughout my training and during the day I run this marathon. He will be the strength that will carry me through and the focus for where I’ll find my endurance .I love you Dad, this is for you x 

Macmillan we’re just the most amazing team with dad and my family. In our darkest of hours they were so supportive and caring and nothing was too much for them to do. Our worries, we’re their worries too. The work Macmillan Cancer Support do is hard to put into words, without them I’m not sure what family’s like mine would do without their hard work, care and support.. Sadly, these charities need more and more support as more and more people have to face the battle with cancer. It’s important we support them, as one day we might need them to support us. So dig deep and support with whatever you can. 

Love always and thank you, 

Bob x