Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I remember vividly the day Liz  commented that she was experiencing the sensation of food getting stuck in her gullet 'like a blocked drain'.  Immediately warning bells went off in my head and I made her make an appointment with her GP that day.  To be honest I wasn't unduly concerned.  Liz was 45, petite, non drinker and non smoker and as a nurse I knew the chances of anything sinister were remote.  Liz had told me she had suffered from terrible heartburn as a teenager and during her twenties.  I thought the most likely diagnosis would be a benign oesophageal stricture.  How wrong I was.  Liz was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer approxiametly 4 weeks later in November 2009.  Further investigations showed lymphatic metasteses deeming her unsuitable for surgery.  Liz was told she had 3-6 months to live (just 9 days before christmas).  Liz never accepted this prognosis.  How could she?  She had everything to live for. She had a loving husband David and 2 children Katy 12 and Louis 7 to whom she was a full time mother.

Liz passed away in David's arms on 11 April 2010, 5 months after diagnosis.  The void she has left is unbearable at times.  She was beautiful, funny,clever and I will never forget her.  My thoughts remain with David, Katy and Louis who made her so proud.  Liz is also survived by both her parents Willie and Mary and her 'wee' brother Ian.  Liz is missed by all of her many friends not least her best pal Dot. I would also like to thank David's parents Austin and Doreen for all their love and support to David and the kids before during and after Liz's passing. Also to Jane, David sister who I didn't know before Liz's illness, but now am glad can call a friend

Why Ochre?  Ochre is a Scottish charity promoting awareness and offering support to oesophageal cancer patients and their families.  Liz found there was a lack of awareness and knowledge of this disease and while she was not given time to change this we do.   I am therefore asking you to dig deep and in Liz's memory donate to Ochre. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read Liz's story and for donating in her memory.

 

Ruth

xx