Meha
Remembering a loved one while raising awareness.
In April 2022, I went on an overnight trip to Norfolk with my husband, parents, sisters and Coco, the family dog, to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. It was our first trip away as a family in 8 years. We had a great time walking across beaches, looking for fossils and narrowly avoiding tantrums at family quiz night!
A month later, our dad was admitted to hospital with abdominal pain. He underwent several scans and biopsies, which were inconclusive, and he came back home. His health deteriorated rapidly in the weeks that followed. Dad was having difficulties with his breathing when he was readmitted to hospital. Sadly, he passed away five days afterwards, just before he turned 66.
Our dad never found out that he had lymphoma. Although he was unwell, he didn’t show any typical symptoms of the condition. By the time we had any idea that he had cancer, he had already progressed so far and we only found out a week after his passing that he had a rare and aggressive type of lymphoma. It was unfortunate that his cancer was difficult to diagnose.
Dad had such a big heart and was a real family man. It was so clear that he wanted anyone and everyone around him to simply be happy, so he did whatever he could to put a smile on our faces. He especially had a soft spot for Coco, his "grandson", who he took care of and played with like a kid himself! We adopted another puppy, Nero, in his memory and the two of them joined us on Lymphoma Action’s Bridges of London walk along with some further family and friends. He always left everyone in fits of laughter and the only thing he ever asked us for in return was to spend time with him.
That’s why we are really keen on raising awareness about lymphoma. Our dad didn’t get a chance to enjoy his retirement with his family, but hopefully by raising awareness, then others will know what to look out for with this type of blood cancer.
Meha shared her family's story with us as part of our Let’s talk lymphoma awareness campaign which ran throughout Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September.