This is the blog we have all been dreading. Mike lost his fight with that horrendous disease and died this afternoon. It was very peaceful and Jean and I were with him. There are so many people that I can't thank enough for the support that you have given us over the last eighteen months, but Willen have been absolutley outstanding and so sensitive at all times. In time I would like to do something to promote what a wonderful place it is, and that you don't just go there to die - they have ensured that Mike's symptoms were controlled and he was not in pain the whole way through this journey. They support the whole family and not just the patient, I can't thank them enough.
Please keep reading the blog for a while, I will post the funeral arrangements on here as soon as I have organised it - Everyone is welcome to attend, I want it to be a celebration of his life!
Wednesday 26 December 2007
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Thankyou
My first thank you must go to Mike, not only my husband but my very best friend. He has always been there for me and now I am doing all I can to be there for him. Unfortunately, nothing can prepare you for the devastating news that we received last June, and no text book can tell you how to behave and how to deal with it.
Mike has been so brave throughout all of this, we have laughed together and cried together, but Mike has found the strength to help me to continue to plan a future for me, the kids and the business. He really is a very special person.
The Kids
I don't know where I would be without Hannah and Cameron (though probably a little less grey). I need them to know that I really love them and appreciate them, even if sometimes because of the situation here stress gets the better of me and I snap.
The memory of the day that we told them that Mike's illness is terminal will haunt me forever. I felt so helpless, it is the first time that a kiss, a hug (or money) couldn't make the news any better for them. Mike insisted that he was the one to tell them, I can't imagine how hard it was for him, I think he's amazing and although it's hard to think of it now I think the kids will respect him for it too. Love you both x x
Jean & Eddie
I need to do a big thank you to Jean and Eddie (Mike's mum and dad). They arrived the morning that Mike was first admitted to hospital and stayed for fourteen weeks. They have been a tremendous support throughout all of this. Obviously they are grieving too, but the support that they have given to Mike, me and the kids has been fantastic.
They have helped both emotionally and practically, without them I do not know what we would have done - All the shopping, cooking, washing, ironing, cleaning and dog walking was done by them. Jean is the only person that has just hugged me and allowed me to cry until I have no more tears left. Eddie did loads of DIY jobs that Mike had planned for years (Mike has always liked the power tools and planning projects but not been very keen to do them). Between them everything was cleaned, painted, cleaned again and made sterile for Mike to have the very best chance of not getting any infections throughout his chemo.
I also thank them for appreciating that when things had settled slightly and I had the business organised they allowed us the time to get back to "normal" family life.
Family
Everyone has been brilliant, I worry that if I start naming people I might forget someone, but I will attempt to without sounding like I have won an Oscar or something.
Gill (Mike's sister) has been great - phones, texts and visits regularly (always good on a Saturday night when a visit from Gill and Pete includes a KFC). She sends good humoured cards regularly which always manage to make us smile.
Karen (Mike's sister) phones and visits regularly, her extensive medical knowledge has helped enormously by helping us to ask "the right questions". Karen did food shopping for us when all we had in the fridge was garlic bread and jam (not a nice combination).
Nicky and Adam (our niece and nephew) have helped us by just being themselves. They text and email the kids and visit whenever they can. They manage to make life seem normal. Nicky continues to call Mike by her pet name Uncle Tosspot which always lightens the mood.
More Family
My dad has always been at the end of the phone for me, I know that if I needed him he would get in the car and be here. I don't speak to my brother Mark as much as I should, for some reason when I come off the phone from a conversation with him I get really upset.
Our aunties, uncles and cousins have been great too. A special thanks to Chris and Wendy who send cards at regular intervals to let us know that they are still thinking about us - this means a lot.
Newport News
I don't know how to thank Marie, Ingrid, Judy (& David) and Mel enough. Without them at times there wouldn't have been any Newport News.
Everyone has changed their hours, extended their hours, changed their jobs to make sure that 900 customers get their papers every day, seven days a week. They have not only worked incredibly hard they have always been sensitive to the situation. Thank you all so much.
Not forgetting the delivery boys & girls who 99% of the time have been fab too.
Our customers have been really thoughtful too. In the first month of Mike's illness he received over 100 cards. Many customers ask for updates on Mike's progress on a regular basis. Newport is a place where news travels fast so most people know what is going on quite quickly.
Highfield
Thanks to all Mike's old colleagues from Highfield. Emma has been great, phones and visits regularly and helps keep Mike up to speed with any gossip he needs to know about. Cam, Steph, Matt and Sally have all visited too and brought with them their share of "important information" for him, not forgetting the fact that Sally ran a half marathon and raised funds for Willen Hospice - I really appreciate this as you will see below they have been a tremendous support to all four of us. Sherilyn has phoned regularly and visited - Mike was really disappointed that he was not well enough to make it to her wedding at Christmas. Sadly, Sherilyn is now ill too and our love and thoughts go to her, Mike and the girls.
I hope I haven't forgotten anyone because I know you have all been great.
And many more..........
There are so many more people that have helped in so many ways. I need to mention Andrew, my old boss - he keeps in contact at least weekly and as always is a really great listener.
Sadie from Country Clover Florist has been great, arrives with flowers every time the going gets tough. Sadie is also training hard to run The London Marathon in aid of Willen Hospice, although we are really proud of her for doing this I do have concerns that my chocolate sales are falling whilst she is in training. Alex and Ryan Pink from the cycle shop across the road have visited Mike in hospital and at home - they always manage to make him laugh.
The list is endless..........
Willen Hospice
A massive thank you goes to Willen Hospice. If this site gains nothing else I would like people to be aware of the amazing work that they do. I really wish that I could do something to promote the fact that they give you so much support in life and that the hospice is not a morbid place at all.
Mike attends the day hospice every Wednesday from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm. It gives him a chance to meet other people facing the same illness and the opportunity to do pottery and painting. I go to the carers group at the hospice on a Monday afternoon, all we do is eat cake and drink tea (not good for the ever expanding waist line, but very good for the soul). It is the one place in the world that you can talk about how you really feel and people really know how you feel because they are all going through it too.
The family support worker, Sandy is brilliant, she has supported us all so much - I don't know where we would be without her.
Liz is another star from Willen, she is the first contact that we had and has guided us the whole way through this horrendous journey. Like Sandy, Liz is always at the end of the phone to give advice and visits regularly as well.
If you click on the link below you will be directed to their website.
Willen Hospice
6 comments:
I'm gutted, Jo. I'm so sorry.
Mike was a wonderful man, a funny, kind, beautiful man, and I feel incredibly lucky to have known him. I will always remember his laughter and his huge generosity and love.
My thoughts are with you all.
With love Cam x
Jo, Hannah & Cameron, We are so sorry, Mike was a lovely young lad who grew into a special young man, we have happy fun memories of him. I'll always remember his cheeky smile. Love Brenda & Len x
Jo, Cameron & Hannah,
we were so sorry to hear this news, it is always a shock, even though it is expected.
It is a comfort to know that Mike, at the end, did not suffer through this impossible illness, & you are right, Willen is undoubtedly fantastic, we are all so blessed to have this wonderful place.
I will always remember Mike's cheeky smile as well & some of the funny things he used to say - to rude to mention on here!
Love David & Jackie {126}
we were so shocked to receive your letter delivered with the papers this morning, and we would like to send our condolences to you and your family. when Mike came to our shop with you a few months ago we were so pleased at how good he looked and hoped that this would continue for a long time to come. from reading your blog it is obvious that you are something of a superwoman in being able to carry on in such difficult circumstances. you have our greatest respect.
David and Lorraine (no. 9)
Jo, Hannah & Cam,
We are all so deeply sorry for the loss of Mike, we count ourselves very lucky to have known him and very privileged to have been counted amongst his friends. We have so many happy memories of Mike and all his escapades! His charm was his cheekiness, and his somewhat sarcastic sense of humour often got him into trouble but he would just flash that big cheeky grin and all would be forgiven. Whenever I think of Mike I always see that smile and will always remember Mike that way. It is so very obvious from all the comments made, along your awful journey, that Mike touched on many people’s lives and what a wonderful legacy to leave behind that so many people clearly loved him. He will be missed but never ever forgotten. Our thoughts are with you all, Jean, Eddie, Gill and Karen and all of your extended family.
With love, Carol, Tom & Sophie. x
Even though we all knew this would happen,i am still shocked that it has.Uncle mike was the most generous,funny and caring person and was very special to me,i feel very lucky to have known him and shared so many memories with him that i can keep with me forever.
Auntie Jo you have been amazing through this whole journey,you always surprise me how you keep yourself together and always put others before yourself,you have been so strong and made this ride seem more bearable to han and cam by being an amazing mum to them.You and uncle mike have always been like best friends to me than my aunt and uncle and we have had some amazing times together.I will always be there for you!
Love you all so much,
Nicky x x x x
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