Havent been around as much lately, so wanted to write a quick entry for anyone who is interested to read!

Things have been going ok. I spent the last 4 wks away with my girlfriend which was very nice, and she was great to be with and really helped get things sorted in my head. Since I got back last week, I have set the wheels in motion in selling my shop and also my dad's house - now left to my brother and I of course. Once these things are completed I will make my move up the M4...

Aardvark747

To everyone who has responded to my journal posts in the last few months. Each one helped and was nice to read

Since sunday my brother and I have been arranging the things that need to happen now. With the time of year tho, things are not able to be hurried. But we have arranged for dads funeral to be for next Thursday 29th, the earliest date available.

Once we had done that on Tuesday afternoon, I booked a flight to go and be with my gf over Christmas. My brother...

Aardvark747

Dad passed away, quietly in his sleep at 5:50pm, Sunday 18th. My brother and I were both at his side, as was his sister and his long term partner. I held his hand and stroked his head in his final minutes. There was no struggle, no noise...his life ended in as dignified a way as he has lived it during the last few months.

I couldn't have wished for a better father during these 23 years.

Aardvark747

Been a couple of wks since I last posted in here, and havent really been around the site too much either. Just been a very weird & difficult time recently. My shop has been closed the vast majority of the time, as I have been spending as much time with dad as possible, same as my brother.

After we found out 2 wks ago that he really didnt have much time left, we have both been around him basically all the time, but still trying not to do or say something that will indicate...

Aardvark747

Tonight my brother and I have been told that our dad has just 2 months to live Duncan my brother, was told today by my dad's consultant, and he told me this evening before all 3 of us go in to the hospital tomorrow afternoon. Dad has already said to the consultant that, should this day come, then he does not want to be told how long he has left, so I am guessing he will just be told that he is too weak and can no longer be given the Chemotherapy treatment.

He is asleep upstairs...

Aardvark747

I have moved into the 21st centrury, and have finally got a laptop and internet at HOME rather than just at my place of work. So this means that I will now be terrorising everyone here during (my) hours of darkness aswell as in the day!

A747 Goes 24/7!

Aardvark747

....I think not

Had a really wonderful, yet far too brief, few days with my gf. It was great to spend time with her again, and to see her family and beautiful country. Now that i've worked out how to post pics, (at last!) i'll add some on here a bit later on. Both our birthdays are coming up in December, so we got them for each other a little early, as it's unlikely we'll be together again until Jan.
Apparently i'm gonna miss the snow which is due to hit there anytime...

Aardvark747

My dad has been in hospital for 7 days now. Last Sunday he called me into his room around 1am and he was being quite violently sick. So I rang for an ambulance and went with him to the hospital, and stayed there until around 8am with my brother. He seemed to start feeling better as soon as we got into the hospital. Anyway, when the doctor came to see him it turned out that his anti-sickness pills didnt seem to be doing the job anymore, so they needed to boost them up to a stronger level. They have...

Aardvark747

And there is some good news to report. Just come back from the hospital with my dad and brother, as we were given the results of his scan he had last week. They told us that there had been a 'significant improvement' on the ulcer he has in his throat, and that the cancer had not developed and spread to anywhere else in his body
So basically the last 9 weeks of treatment taking, appears to have paid off. The consultant said that he didn't think the results would prove anything else other...

Aardvark747

^Manics - 'Firefight'...

Had a busy few days. Dad back into hospital again on Saturday night, as his temperature became quite high, we were worried he might have an infection or something. Stayed there for about 6 hours with him after that, but he seemed to be feeling better. He's rested some more for the last couple of days, rather than rushing home, and had been given a break from the Chemo until friday. I took him back home a little while ago, and he seems more lively at the moment....

Aardvark747

...but I did, and it was a bad call. Now i'm in work 'suffering' for my sins! I went round to my bro's house on the way in, he opened the door and I stumbled in and shuffled into the kitchen slowly. I turned and looked at him and he said - "You fuckin big girl!" I knew i'd have no sympathy there! I dont think my gf appreciated a call at 1am this morning either....why DID I do that?!

Back to more important news, my dad has had to chop and change with the chemo...

Aardvark747

Been thinking heavily this week about a possible career change. Not that the job I do now is REALLY awful or anything. I enjoy it quite often....but there are some days when I just get bored and wish I wasnt working alone all the time.

A couple of mates have just come back from uni where they've been for the past 3 years, and it's been making me think what i'd be doing now, if perhaps i'd chosen that path back when I left school, instead of walking straight into a job...
...

Aardvark747

Close the shop early today to watch the England v Wales footy match? It is tempting! I'll see how the day pans out...

Had a late one last nite too. Took my dad into hospital, where I think he'll have to stay for at least a couple of nights. They were due to update the chemo dose, but they told us that his white blood cell count had dropped down quite low - and therefore he's a lot more vulnerable to infections. They reckon he'll be ok enough to start the treatment again on Monday....

Aardvark747

My gf went home yesterday
All I found myself doing last nite, was looking around my room and picturing where she had been stood or sat during the last 12 days....I know, i'm

The happier news tho, is that if all goes 'to the plan' she should be back in a couple of weeks, for a little bit longer too - so I am crossing my fingers for that!

Aardvark747

...to get home and see my girl again! It has been great since she arrived, and i've felt a lot happier.
The hug did the world of good it would seem!
I'm at work for a little while longer, and when I get home she would've made dinner for me.....I didnt even have to ask - she offered!! Amazing girl!

Aardvark747