I'm running for my Dad

Last year, my Dad died of acute myeloid leukaemia.

I tried then to describe what it was like - like being hit by a truck, like being in the boxing ring, like everyone's worst nightmare. Really, it was all and none of these. He was 67 and had only just retired a few months before. He'd been feeling a bit off colour, but none of us expected the bombshell that we got on June 14th.

The next twenty days were a blur of hospital, doctors, machines and fear. And that was all he got - twenty days. It wasn't enough time for my mum, my brother and me even to process that it was happening. The staff at Parkside were brilliant and took great care of Dad but, sadly, they couldn't provide the miracle that we all wanted. Dad died on July 4th last year.

Dad was a wonderful person, fiercely protective of his family right up to the end. He worked incredibly hard to look after us, and I wish I'd been able to do the same for him. This is, in some ways, the next best thing. I want to contribute to helping someone who's in the same position, or to stopping other families dealing with the heartbreak that we did.

 

I'm going to be running the Blackheath Race for Life event on July 3rd. This will be the one-year anniversary of Dad's last full day with us. I love you Dad, I miss you and I'm doing this run for you.

 

3rd February - THE START!

I'm a complete couch potato at the moment. I don't do running. But I do really want to be able to run this rather than walking it. So I have five months exactly to get into shape. It's definitely possible. I'm planning to post updates on here about how the training's coming along. Watch this space.

 

Update - 24th March

Not a huge amount of training done yet what with having moved house, had the flu and sprained my ankle. But my physio says I should definitely be able to run properly in July. Now that we have some nice weather outside and some keep-fit space inside, I hope things can get going. And, with that, I'm going to pass the details of my page on to absolutely everyone... 

 

Update - 17th June

Good news is I'm getting a lot fitter. Bad news is I turned my bad ankle a bit the other day, but it's not dreadful. FANTASTIC news is the amount of sponsorship I've had. Thank you so much to everyone who's donated. It's incredible. Please pass the details on.

It's now a year since Dad's diagnosis. It's a hard time. Sometimes I still forget that he's gone - moments of "I should ask Dad about that". I'm getting endless emails about Father's Day too, and have an irrational fury that they don't know. So, with Father's Day approaching, please remember my Dad and make the most of your own.

 

Update - 2nd July

First of all, thank you SO MUCH everyone who's donated and/or passed this page on to friends. It means a huge amount to me, and could mean a whole new lease of life to someone out there some day.

The race is tomorrow! Sadly, I'm not going to be able to do the whole thing at a run - the ankle hasn't allowed me to train that much and still plays up sometimes. I will, however, get round the course and try to leg it for the last bit.

Fingers crossed...

 

Update - 4th July

Well, I did it. I can't believe how many people were there yesterday. Amazing and scary to think that all of those women have been affected by cancer in some way - whether they've lost someone (or many people) the way I have, or they know someone who's beaten it, or they're fighting it themselves. I fast-walked the course with a lovely lady who'd also lost her father quite suddenly. We jogged across the finish line holding hands.

Today is one year to the day since Dad died. There are still so many things I want to say. Your grandson is doing brilliantly, reading and writing, making friends. He's so bright and confident - you'd be so proud of him. You'd love our new house. I still adore my new car which you insisted that I not blow all my savings on and gave me the money instead. I'm being a grown-up about the legal stuff, mainly by thinking of what you'd want me to do.

I love you, Dad. I miss you, I miss you, I miss you.

 

You can follow me on Twitter @AlternateRowan

 

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