So this is my 4th time of taking part in Shine and yes I did say 'Never again!' But due to others wanting to take part if me and my sister did it this year I've decided to do it. As always this is in memory of my wonderful Dad. Dad had trouble for a long time with heartburn which a few rennie tablets took care of. Then he started to have trouble getting some foods down, they'd get stuck. Talks to go to the doctors were forgotten about (seems to be a man thing) but soon Dad had a wake up call as he was told of a situation where a family friend had something similar and went to the doctors and it was cancer. He decided to go and have tests done etc and after so much positivity the worst happened and we found out it was cancer and after treatment it was more bad news as the treatment had stopped working. We continued to think positive.... I was pregnant and Dad was so grateful for some happy news and he had another reason to fight this. Just before Christmas 2011 (21/22) my sister fought to get Dad into the hospice and thankfully they took him in. If they hadn't we would have lost him before Christmas. The doctor there said we would get a few days or a few weeks. The medication he received there meant we were fortunate to get the latter and we were able to celebrate one last Christmas together. We were there every day with him and so many family member came to spend time with him. But on the 15th Jan 2012 Dad had deteriorated so his family (Mum, Dad, Brother , Daughters and for a short time Granddaughter) stayed with him till he left us 10 minutes into 16th Jan. Even writing this I'm crying as it feels so raw still and he never had a chance to see my Chloe who is growing so fast and it's making me realise how long it's been since we were with him.

This disease is a terrible thing to go through yourself or to witness. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. We need to find a cure. 

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