Today should have been my lovely dad's 73rd birthday but instead it's 15 days since we had to say goodbye to him in intensive care after getting flu over xmas at the point his immune system was at its lowest following six months of chemo. Six years ago Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer and following treatment it seemed to be going well. Last February he told me that it has metastasised into his lung. We were all devastated. Because he was so fit and strong they felt that he was a good candidate for chemotherapy and it would give him more time, but of course there were risks. Dad decided to start chemo. Dad sailed through chemo and carried on working throughout, taking 'chemo days' as holiday from his job on the steelworks. He was so proud when he finally rang the bell on 19th December and was looking forward to spending Christmas in Yorkshire. He left my house on 27th December and within 24 hours he was being resuscitated in Scunthorpe A&E after collapsing at home. He was in septic shock. Critical. The intensive care unit threw everything at him and he began to rally, still fighting. Unfortunately one night changed it all again and despite the progress he'd made in ten days he was now completely unresponsive and on full life support. On 8th January the decision was made to withdraw support. My heart is still breaking. While he was in hospital we found out that my lovely, funny, and a bit daft Dad had a side to him we didn't know about and another 'family'. Messages were coming in constantly, the outpouring of love and wishes for him to get though this were overwhelming. Y'see his other family were the steelworkers and it turned out that Dad was known as the Blast Furnace Legend on the Steelworks - obviously I knew he was ace but had no idea how much love, respect and adoration they had for him. One morning I got a call from one of his bosses asking for me to keep him updated as 'the lads just aren't coping' - the lads being his colleagues. So today, on what would have been Dad's birthday the local paper has a front page tribute to the Legend - my lovely dad. It turns out that a broken heart can also burst with pride. x
So sorry to hear this Lisa. He was obviously a really popular guy. What a lovely tribute. Sending you a big hug x
The 8th January would also have been Elvis 85th Birthday. Dad was a big Elvis fan. Always smiling. Always buggering about x
I was planning dad's comeback special - he was so strong and even when a digger fell on him he co-ordinated his own rescue - everyone is still so shocked it took him.
The tributes are really lovely Lisa. Despite the sadness and heartbreak of losing your dad you and your family must be feeling so proud of him and happy to know how loved and respected he was. A proper legend. Big hugs to you xx
I feel very sorry for your loss. But what a lovely thing to find out that a big chunk of the people he came into contact with thought he was just as special as you did.
It has literally being overwhelming. We didn't know that he saved lives and saved the steelworks £millions with his skills - the stories are incredible and yet if you asked him about work he'd just say 'fine' or 'OK'. Turns out his entire unit/section was built around him (the ones who go in when things go wrong) and yet despite management offers and work overseas he just liked doing what he was doing g and training others. and being a bit of a bugger and practical joker! x
Also, as it would have been his Birthday today many will be raising a glass of whisky to him tonight. I may not. I *may have overindulged last night and I'm not even that keen on whisky. Also apologies to @CollyP - it won't happen again as I am NEVER going to drink again!
Notice how dad wore a white t shirt when he was working on the coal wagons but a black t shirt when working in Algeria!
