The Last Chapter

by Robert Lawson

  Monday 29/4/2013.

  I (John) called into dad’s house to see them, dad was lying on the couch not looking good, he said he had a bad bleed. I rang the doctors, they came out and arranged for an ambulance to take him to the hospital. On arrival at the hospital they took dad up for a scan (camera) to see where the bleed was coming from. Then the doctors came and told us they couldn’t find where the bleed was coming from and that dad didn’t have long to live, they actually said he had about 5mins.Viv was with mum and she brought her to the hospital, she was shocked when she seen him. All the family were called and we said goodbye to him and told him how much we loved him. He fought like you wouldn’t believe and pulled through the night. They took the tube out of his throat and he started breathing on his own. That night he got put on a ward our mum sat next to him, for about 1 and half weeks, 24/7 never went home at all, she washed and eat there and never left his side, mum slept in her wheelchair some nights. She was unbelievable, considering her age 84 and all her problems, but that was mum, he was her fella and she was going nowhere while he was in there. After us asking for the tests to be done again, they still told us there was nothing they could do. They told him if he wanted to he could go home and be made comfortable. They arranged a hospital bed to be delivered to the house and various other things, and for the nurses to come in on a regular basis. Nine people in our family had come down with a bug from that shit hole of a hospital. The day dad was told he could come home, mum came down with the bug and was vomiting, she never really got over it. Before mum got really sick, she had picked up a bit, Viv took her to get her hair done, dad said he would pay. She got her hair done and called past my house to pick me up, she looked lovely, as always, it made her feel a little bit better. The next day our Anne was showering her, she was fine they were having a laugh about different things, when she went to get out she started to be sick. We put her to bed, then called the doctor out, she said it was probably a stroke but mum wouldn’t go into hospital for any checks. It was 6 weeks and 3 days after dad had come out of hospital. Mum also had a bad chest infection and a water infection. The day before mum took a turn, dad had taken a bad turn with his blood levels. He didn’t know what to do to go in and get a blood transfusion or not, then the nurse explained things to him and he decided not to go back to hospital. In mums final days she couldn’t communicate with us, but she could hear what was going on, and often smiled when something was said. While she was sick if any of the great grandchildren came in she would lighten up, it was amazing, she loved them all so much. Having those last couple of special days with her is something we will all treasure for the rest of our lives. Mum was our Angel, and the heart of our family and the thought of not having her with us anymore was unthinkable. Her smile, her laugh, her touch, her kisses and hugs are all something we thought we would have forever, she was so special in every way. We were all with mum when she passed away, at 9.45am on 30 May 2013, hopefully she passed without any pain.

  Mum and Dad were like a double act, sometimes Mum would say to me (Anne) at least we give you a good laugh when you come in, and they did. They would say don’t know what the neighbours must think, when we’re having a laugh together early hours in the morning.

  After mum’s funeral, Estella took dad to her house in Holyhead for the weekend. Me (john) and viv, jemma and lee got a chalet in a camp near to Estella’s house. Anne, Richie and Ellie stayed in the Travelodge. Dad said he wanted to take us all for a meal , you should have seen the meal he had it was huge, it was a lovely night and unforgettable, dad enjoyed paying for everyone. On the Friday we all went to our chalet and had a meal on the balcony, it was magical dad enjoyed it so much, we all did.

  On Saturday Anne’s boys and their families came to Wales and we all, took dad to the beach in Trearddur Bay, he sat and eat ice cream next to me (john) while I done a drawing of the view in front of us. That will always be something I won’t forget ever. Estella had a barby in her house that night and dad really enjoyed it. The next morning we went to Niamh’s Communion, dad said she was his little queen, he cried that day because he said mum would have loved to have been there (she was). Dad stayed with us on the last night in Wales, we brought him home the next day. He wanted to go to Anne’s house and stay there, he didn’t want to go back to his house. I called in every day to see him, and so did our Tommy and Bobby, gradually he was getting a bit worse. On father’s day we went and took him some new tracksuit bottoms and a card. Tommy, Bev and Bobby called round to see dad and brought his presents and cards. He sat outside in Anne’s garden and had something to eat, he had his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with him, he was great that day. But the next day he wanted to get into bed and sadly, he did not get out again. He got a bad water infection and went down from there, he stopped eating and drinking. A few days later on 25th June at 6am my hero was gone, while holding my hand. Anne and Estella had sat with him and talked and played music to him, they said that is something that they will treasure for the rest of their lives.

  Even though the district nurses said dad was ok, Anne said she knew something was happening and called the family, We were all there when dad passed away peacefully. We will never forget his caring, loving ways, he was as Our John said our Hero, and we will miss him forever.

  Mum and Dad left us with so many beautiful memories, Christmas time was magical it was like a grotto in the house. Holidays were made so special no matter where we went, family time meant everything to them. All these memories will stay in our hearts forever.

  Nothing can prepare you for what you go through when you lose your parents, it’s an emotion that is hard to describe, part of you dies with them and you think how do I go on now. When we lost them our lives changed forever, but we know they are happy with Our Paul and all their family that has gone before them.

  Nite Nite God Bless Mum (Our Angel) Dad (Our Hero)ome ino