My amazing brother Mike passed away from a Glioblastoma (brain tumor). 49 days from diagnosis to him passing away. This was the first real family trauma to ever hit me well, old enough to understand, I still struggle to adjust. We all have our struggles and trauma and we all are different and this is mine. What was supposed to be a basic eye test turned out to be the worst day of Mike's and our lives.

After the eye test Mike was referred to the hospital for a MRI and other various tests and scans. Being called back the hospital walking into to the Doctors office and seeing the Macmillan Cancer nurse, Mike knew. ‘How long have I got’ we cant say, you have tumor growing inside your brain stem. Due to the nature of where it is we cannot biopsy it so, we don’t know the best way to treat it. Mike then lost the use of the right side of his body almost like he had a stroke a week after the doctors office. It was very aggressive. They blasted it with for 3 weeks everyday of radiotherapy. It didn’t touch it.

Mike was the biggest, brightest most clever caring 43 year old young man you could ever meet and had one of the biggest hearts ever. He had a passion for the outdoors was always cycling on his pride and joy or walking for miles with no intention just enjoying life.

Mike was rushed to into Huddersfield hospital on the 17th of August 47 days after his diagnosis and we got the Phone call and we flew straight up from the South west as we had done for the past weekends and any spare time we had. We stayed by his bedside (minus him sending us off for ONLY M&S supplies).

Three hours before Mike passed I sat and shared a whiskey with him something that will make me smile for the rest of my life. I washed his head and even fanned him for nearly two hours moments ill cherish. We then sat snugged up and watched Netflix whilst he crammed in as much M&S dessert in as he could.

The MAU (minor assessment unit) that Mike was admitted to are not necessarily prepared for dealing with a end of life young patient. Usually people go there to then go the ward relative to what they need.

I cannot even begin to express the care and compassion Mike received. Straight into his own private side room, they moved a bed next to him so his husband Andy could be by his side. They cleared out their staff room and made it, into a room where we could sleep and rest directly opposite. Whilst they took their breaks in the corridor and in other places.

They went to supermarkets in their own time after working 12 hrs shifts to buy us supplies out of their own pocket. They could not do enough for us. They gave us unlimited access to the ward and the room and come and go as we please as and when we wanted. Nothing was too much trouble.

At 11pm on Friday the 18th of May Mike told us to go and get some rest, I sure he knew. We had been there since 2am. We didn't want to leave but he persisted. At 04:48am on the Saturday 19th of August we got the call from Andy to say we Needed to get back. Mike was gone.

I cannot express the peaceful way in which my brother passed with loved ones around him, the doctors and nurses made him comfortable and managed his pain medication unbelievably. He took his last breathe with Andy cuddled up by his side.

We managed to sit and say goodbye which I didn't realise how hard it would be. I didn't want to leave

A lot of people don't realise that hospitals like Calderdale and Huddersfield general, also need generosity and donations. We need to look after them ourselves as the government don't seem to be.

So, I have decided to walk solidly for 49 hours and hour for each day my brother had to deal with this terrible horrible illness on the 21st of September.. Not only in remembrance to Mike but to help and support the nurses and doctors that supported us and our brother/husband/son. I know he would of wanted to give something back.

I don't have a limit (i only put one in because you have too) if you can just even a £1 I will be forever grateful.

Sometimes we all need a pick me up and i want the staff on MAU at Calderdale and Huddersfield general hospital especially but, also every other NHS worker. Porters, cleaners, shop workers, nurses, doctors, specialists even those who work residential, out in community at residential and nursing homes. YOU ARE ALL WORTH YOUR WEIGHT IN GOLD

Special mention to Kirsty the ward sister on MAU at the time. I’m sure the NHS and the hospital realise how lucky they are to have someone like you working for them.

Also Simon from work who has been roped in to walk this Me and Claire who will walk as well be the best support driver.

MISS YOU BROTHER

THANK YOU