Sarah's Story

I don't know if anything can prepare you for when you're told someone you love has cancer and then to inform you it's too late for hope, kinda breaks you down. My father was the most awesome person in the world and he loved life, he never told us how much discomfort and pain he was in, instead he focused on making us laugh everyday. As a family we decided to be positive and to make as many happy memories as we could, we knew that each day was a gift from God and as our lives quickly changed and began to revolve around hospital visits, doctors surgeries and pharmacy pick ups, it also brought us more together as a family.

But it was hard to see the man who was always my hero, could solve any problem, build and fix anything around the house slowly lose strength and become more dependant on mum and his kids. Dad was such a proud man, he loved his wife and kids so he gave up his career, his house, his friends his life in Bolivia and Peru to come to a country where he did not know the language or had any friends just so that his kids can have all the educational and career opportunities Australia had to offer.

Dad never gave up, he kept fighting till the end he wanted to keep on living and he did longer that what was originally predicted. On Monday June 22nd 2009 at 7pm dad's battle with pancreatic cancer ended, he was only 60. My mother, brothers and sister along with close relatives stood around his bed held his hand and kissed him goodbye. I know one day i'll see him again, I love you dad, you'll always be my hero!