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Graham was a perfectly healthy 32 year old young man who on Dec 26th '05 suddenly developed a very sore head with sickness that lasted several days. After 3 visits to 2 local hospitals Graham was diagnosed with migraine. With continued sickness and rapid weight loss Graham consulted his own doctor, and was admitted that day into The Western Inf. where many tests were carried out. The following day he was transferred to The Sothern General Hospital which deals with head problems and it was discovered that Graham needed major surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. A biopsy was also taken at this stage, and 6 days later it was fund that he had been misdiagnosed with migraine headaches and he was suffering from an inoperable and incurable Grade 4 Glioblastoma brain tumour. We were called together as a family to be told this news and in many ways it didn't really 'sink in' until we were asked if there was any events happening later in the year that could be brought forward so Graham could attend them. The 32yr old doctor went on to tell us all that was likely to happen with Chemo/Radio treatments, but did not give us 'a time'! Even having been given this devastating news Graham amazed us with his tremendous positive attitude and helped all of us to 'hold-it-all-together' which was extremely difficult as we could not really believe this was happening to him! and to us! He showed such tremendous bravery and courage way beyond his years asking if he could go home, which was granted the following day. Graham's licence was also immediately taken away from him and as you can well imagine how as a Volvo Technician/car mechanic for 16 years Graham felt about that! but again he dealt with it and there was no lack of help for transport for anywhere he needed to go. His life (as did ours) totally changed from when he came home from hospital as he was still recovering from major head surgery followed by visits to the Old Beatson where he had to undergo a simulator machine which showed where the radiotherapy had to be applied. A head mask was made for him to receive 30 radiotherapy treatments and everyday (bar weekends) for 30 treatments he underwent this procedure, again with such a positive attitude. He amazed us and family and friends who only knew Graham as a very quiet, shy young man that just went on about his daily business, and had now been plunged into all of this! He also had to be put on several medications at the same time which caused problems! steroids which caused weight gain and again he dealt with that in an amazingly brave and courageous way. There were a few times when he had to be admitted into hospital for treatments. June 2nd '06 we thought we were going to lose him when he developed breathing and heart problems due to the medications and it was found he had blood clots on both lungs. The doctors were amazed he survived this, but we weren't as so much prayer was being offered up for Graham's health on a daily basis and from so many family and friends at home, and in other countries as well. Graham had an amazing 'peace' within and outwith him and he radiated this to us as his parents, sisters, family and friends, again helping us deal with his problems.

His sister Sharyn brought her wedding to Peter forward from the November to 7th May and Graham performed his duty as Usher with grace and dignity and once again amazed us all! This was some young man that we were blessed to call our Son, Brother, Uncle and so much more to so many people. June saw a decline in his health and for several weeks things were changing. July he was unable to take his medication and on 24th he was admitted to the Southern General very poorly, again we almost lost him, but God was good and after a couple of days on a drip Graham recovered enough to be transferred into his own room where we thought he was going to be released home again for 'a time', but! that did not happen! July 26th his wife Fiona and both of us felt the need to stay with him as things were again changing, and after 16 days of many amazing events happening in Ward 23, one being Jack his little Nephew turned 1 year old and Uncle Graham with that amazing 'smile' that most of us would know, gave him the 'thumbs up', as he watched Jack take his 1st steps. But sadly on 11th Aug at 4.15pm, surrounded by all his loving family Graham 'sighed' his last breath and went to sleep and he did not waken up again! (just as the young doctor had told us the end would be for him)

As a family we are blessed and feel very privileged that Graham was part of our lives, albeit for such a short time, but we thank God for his life, and for the way Graham 'touched' our lives showing such immense courage and bravery in dealing with his life and knowlege of his death. Earlier on in his illness we had talked with him about Fundraising to help with things that were needed, and he told us we would know when the time was right for that, and as time was very precious and unknown to us we dealt with what every day gave us and it wasn't until Graham had died that we felt such a need to do something to help other suffers of brain tumours and their families cope with day-to-day living knowing what he and us as his family had to endure daily and so in October '06 we had a special Fundraising day (Tea/Coffee, Baking, Silent Auction) in our local church (Allander Evangelical where Graham was part of the Youth Fellowship and helped Steward for many years) and we raised just over £7000. This was later 'gifted' to The Old Beatson to help buy needed equipment that aided the research into brain tumours. This also helped us a little as a family to deal with our great loss of Graham doing something positive that we knew one day he knew we would do.

Each year for the passed 6 years we have tried to raise £1000 and with the help of so many loving and caring family and friends we have raised to date just over £16,000 that has been donated for research into one day, please God, a cure for brain tumours. It is our prayer that more Researchers will be funded to carry out needed research into how the brain develops tumours and how they can deal with new treatments to prolong life and as I said, one day a cure!

As a family we would like to take this opportunity to 'thank' each one of you that have upheld Graham and us in your prayers during his time of illness, and since his death, and for us as we deal with living everyday now without him in our lives. We have such wonderful treasured and preciuos memories to store in our hearts where Graham now lives and God is good...and with His mercy and daily grace we know that one day we will be re-united with Graham in glory and once again the family Chain that is now broken will once again be linked-together.

We hold on to an amazingly encouraging verse from Scripture from 2nd Samuel 12 v 23b which reads. "He cannot return to you, but one day you shall go to be with him.

Yes, God is good...all the time.

May God bless you for blessing us with your love and support.

Don & Rachel, Sharyn & Peter, Jaclyn & Stephen, Jack, Scott & Kris       xox :) xox :)

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