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I am undertaking this cycling challenge primarily in memory of my dad who passed away peacefully at home in March 2006. He had been living with bowel cancer and had remained pretty active (he and my mother enjoyed walking) right up until Christmas 2005. Even then, despite chemotherapy, he drove around the country visiting family.

He finally took to his bed a few days before his death, I went down a couple of days later. On my arrival I was shocked on his rapid decline but was privileged to help care for him at home with family around. His intention had been to be admitted to a hospice at this point, but there were no beds available which meant a hospital admission through A and E.  I felt this would have been extremely traumatic all round, hence the decision to nurse him at home.  at this point all the family had just about arrived to spend the last few hours/days with dad.

We had visits from district nurses daily. Finally on his last day a morphine pump was fitted and a wonderful Marie Curie Nurse arrived in the evening. She helped me make  dad comfortable for the night and stayed with dad giving mum and I some welcome respite and, most importantly dad the space to relax and allow himself to let go. 

He died quietly with mum and I  present as we were called just as he was taking his last breaths during the night.

We were so thankful for our Marie Curie nurse who gave our family so much care and support, attending to all that needed to be done with compassion and great empathy.

As I cycle through the Emerald Isle I shall  be considering all my family, friends, colleagues and acqaintances who have and are continuing to live with the legacy of cancer, reamining positive and hopeful that research and science together may continue to enable a positive outcome for the majority.

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