Up until 2005 I'd had no contact with cancer and like many was nieve to the impact it had on people's lives.  That all quickly changed when my father was diagnosed with Osophogeal cancer.  Despite a major operation which we were told had "cured" him the cancer came back aggressively and whilst mum and dad did manage a round the world trip at the end of 2006, dad died in May of 2007.  Macmillan provided great support to both mum and dad during 2007 and whilst the outcome couldn't be changed they were there for them.

It took mum a long time to come to terms with dad's death as it did for my brother and I, but mum had lost her soul mate.  Friends and family rallied around her and slowly she got back on her feet.  With friends she undertook some of the trips her and dad had planned but ran out of time to take together.  She enjoyed seeing her grandchildren grow up and was a big part of their lives.  Then history repeated itself when at Easter 2011 she was diagnosed with a rare soft tissue cancer, and unfortunately there were already secondary tumours around her body.  The prognosis was not good but mum underwent operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to fight the cancer and spend as much time with family as possible.  She battled bravely for 2 years but in April 2013 lost the battle.  Throughout mum never complained, taking each challenge and setback in her stride.  Again Macmillan and the local hospice were there for her, providing support.  Sadly mum wont get to see me run the half marathon nor see the grandchildren grow up.  The only comfort is that mum is no longer suffering and is reunited with dad.  I'd much rather they be here and a part of our lives still but they will live on in our memories.

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