2015-2016 Last Days

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Previous Page: 2004-2016 Retirement Again Magnetic Island

Aug, 2015 - Post-Whipples surgery in August 2015 - a 5 week stay in hospital, including a week of nil-by-mouth food by IV into the jugular vein due to complications!). But Dad still managed to walk  over 1/2 km around the ward at least once a day and entertain visitors. 

Oct,2015 to July, 2016 Cured of  duodenal/pancreatic cancer post-Whipples Dad was dealt another blow with a second cancer appearing before he'd left hospital from the surgery- small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of unknown origin. Treatment for this required frequent travel into Townsville for appointments and treatments. Each trip was a full-day expedition from the island and left dad exhausted and nauseous on top of his exhaustion and nausea. But despite this, and frequent setbacks such as mysterious stomach pain and temperatures (presumed infections) resulting in hospitalisation, he remained active, chatty, and hopeful.

2016 - Routine was important for Dad and cleaning the house was one thing he never failed to do

June, 2016 - "Seizing the day" (on the rare occasions when he felt well enough during his last year) - taking a Red Baron flight around the Island with granddaughter.

Early 2016, Birthday smile

August,2016 - Mum and Dad at Dad's Pre-mortem party - Dad always liked a party, so he decided he wasn't going to miss the last one!

Sept , 2016 - Catching up with old friends - Mum and Dad with Peter and Marilyn Davies less than a month before dad died.    

Oct, 2016 - Dad's last U3A science lecture several weeks before his death. He couldn't stand for long, but he could still talk!

Oct, 2016 - A lovely bedside concert by the U3A choir when dad became too sick to leave the house