Chat – 01 August 2019

53

news – just like Dad, and like
Rene, I had pancreatic cancer.
‘I never wanted you to go
through this, too,’ Rene told me
devastated, in February 2019
as he started chemotherapy.
It all felt so unfair.
Why was our family being
put through this all again?
Sadly, by now, Rene was
deteriorating fast – but, in

a strange way we

became closer than ever.

Between rounds of

chemotherapy, I’d visit him.

We’d talk about our

treatments, and compare how

we were feeling.

Most importantly, we’d just

enjoy each other’s company.

On 30 March, my wonderful

big brother passed away – and

wewereheartbroken

over again.

Just like when

we’d lost dad.

Since then,

the doctors have

told me that my

chemotherapy has

stopped working.

So now I’ve been

in contact with

John Radcliffe

Hospital in Oxford,

and they have

a potential trial

for me to go on.

It’s scary,

the unknown.

I hate the thought ofleaving

, andkidsCally,29,

die,23,andmytwo

loved grandkids.

I’m terrified that, one

y, they might receive a

vastating diagnosis, too,

cause of our family curse.

The doctors have since

nfirmed that I carry a

ne mutation that leads

pancreatic cancer.

That’s why I’m taking

rt in different trials

d studies.

Working with the charity,

ncreatic Cancer Action,

m doing my best to raise

funds and awareness – so

thatoneday

a treatment

willbefound.

Afterall,I’m

notjustdoing

thisforme.

I’mdoingit

foreveryone

affectedbythis

awfuldisease.

Butmost

importantly,

I’mdoingit for

DadandRene.

lShowyoursupportat:

pancreaticcanceraction.org

We were

heartbroken

when Rene died

We lost Dad

to pancreatic

cancer in 2011

Devastating

diagnosis

Why is

my family

being put

through

this all

again?