Story
Event Date: 26th May 2013 - the same date United won the treble in '99 hence why the target total is £1,999.
This is going to be difficult but in a nutshell my Dad was diagnosed with Brain Cancer in November 2012 and, quite obviously, it's turned his and the rest of my family's lives upside-down.
Pete is 67, a Grandad to three, father of two, husband and lifelong Manchester United fan and season ticket holder. The turnstile to his current seat is East Stand (E35) and, on the day of the run, I intend to pay tribute to my Dad as the run takes me directly past that turnstile. The tribute will ultimately be decided by events happening between now and then with provisional ideas ranging from releasing some balloons to.....well, to things I don't really want to contemplate right now.
My Dad's cancer is aggressive, it's a grade 4 Glioblastoma. The tumour is inoperable due to it's location and therefore the treatment will be Chemo and Radiation therapy only.
Today (8-Nov-2012) the family sat through a tough Q&A session with the Oncology team and the simple fact is....this will take him from us....it's sadly just a matter of how much time Dad can buy himself with a fight which will be made more difficult by his existing heart condition and diabetes. I don't envy his plight or that of his now devastated wife, my Mum.
Until now I thought cancer was something that happened to other families. 'It won't happen to Dad', I was wrong.
Just 5 months ago Pete was an active man working long shifts and carrying out household DIY chores for his hapless youngest son (me!) and doing it in next to no time. Two months ago he suffered a minor stroke, from then, only 2 months ago, his deterioration has been remarkable and frightening. Now....well....I doubt he even remembers doing those things.
No one can prepare you for the morbid thoughts that begin to occupy your own mind. Dad's really up for the fight and wants to see his Grandkids grow up, I want the same, but at what price? At present he's confused, angry and tired but we know that isn't really him or his fault, it's the illness. What ever Dad decides I'm right behind him and I wish the all the luck and peace in the World.
I'll endeavour to post regular updates on Dad's fight (which will unfortunately appear chronologically backwards below this story). Please look out for the updates.
In the meantime, please consider helping me raise funds and surpass my target of £1,999 in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Macmillan will be caring for my Dad when he hopefully returns home and undergoes painful but crucial treatment to manage the disease. Although the help is yet to begin because Pete is still in the High Dependancy Unit waiting to be well enough for transfer, I believe Macmillan will assist my Mum whilst care is required in the home for as long as necessary, I cannot tell you how relieved I am to know my Mum doesn't have to attempt to deal with this almost single-handedly.
So if, like me, you would like to help Macmillan continue to provide the free support they offer for not only my family but for others in the future, please help me raise funds by Tweeting this page, uploading it to Facebook and using any other method to raise awareness of it to reach my target.
Your help is hugely appreciated.
https://www.justgiving.com/rimmers10k
My place on the run is confirmed and I'm a confirmed member of the Macmillan Manchester 10k running team.
If you would like to join me or help me in anyway please contact me via any of the following means:
Twitter: @Rimmerstweets (hashtags: #mydadpete #rimmers10k #macmillan)
Facebook: Ian Rimmer
email: iansrimmer@msn.com
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