The second anniversary of my brother Robert's death has just passed.
He got
cancer in the soft palate at the back of his throat. The initial
symptoms were toothache, but the true cause wasn't spotted by the
dentist. The cancer was aggressive and by the time it was diagnosed
it had grown substantially.
Rob was
given a heavy programme of radiotherapy. This progressively
destroyed his ability to swallow. Before long he was only able to eat and
drink through a peg into his stomach. Despite this radical treatment,
the tumour wasn't killed off quickly enough and the cancer spread.
Rob was
a very fit and energetic man. He wasn't fazed by anything. Whatever
the challenge, he was prepared to take it on - from running a marathon to rebuilding a house. The depredations and
indignities of his treatment were huge, but he remained calm and cheerful with
his characteristically silly sense of humour.
Rob was
only 56 when he died. I miss him a lot.
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