THAT phone call

[Gavster]

Best wishes mate, sending lots of love to you and your family.

And I get the travel thing. My best mate is an Aussie living in London and he had to deal with his father having terminal cancer too. It was a real juggling act working out when to go back to Aus, and for how long, because we can't plan these things out. He was able to work remotely so ended up going back to Aus for 6 weeks and working while there.

[Matty]

A call that everyone dreads. Sorry to hear - at least the passport turn around was quick, mate of mine tried to get his for SA for very similar reasons and was waiting weeks.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Aw crap Dave, that's awful news

As Matty says, at least your passport came through so quickly, you'd probably be screwed if it was the other way around and you were getting one in the UK.

Out of interest, do you not have a UK one anymore then?

[Delphi]

Well that sucks, Dave.
Glad you got your passport sorted quickly, though.

[KiwiDave]

Out of interest, do you not have a UK one anymore then?

I do, but last time I traveled on it, complete with its 12,000 visas and a US Govt one from a visit I did, where officially I was working on behalf of NZ Govt. it caused so much damn hassle getting into and out of UK/NZ. Stopped and interviewed at each step. And the Mrs is coming on an NZ passport too, so it kinda just made more sense to start from scratch and resort back to the UK as a last resort.

Thankfully NZ passports were bloody awesome.

[Explosive Newt]

Sorry to hear all that. Happy to be a medical sounding board if it would help.

[KiwiDave]

Sorry to hear all that. Happy to be a medical sounding board if it would help.

That's very kind of you, and I may well take you up on that yet.

Brief update for those I haven't spoken to already. Dad has three tumours in his bowel, one in his lungs and one in his liver. He's eating nothing solid and existing on one third of the nutrient milkshakes he should be having and Guinness shandies, as well as the occasional scoop of sorbet. He's smack to the eyelids on pain meds, but remains lucid and sharp in his mind. He's entirely ready to go and almost can't wait to get on with it, but in spite of this, he's stable enough that there has been mention that he may need to be removed from the hospice and put into slightly longer term end of life care. Something no one is happy about.

I'm back in Chesterfield. It's fucking horrific.

[240PP]

Hope you get a speedy end to this.

[Jimmy Choo]

I'm back in Chesterfield. It's fucking horrific.

I've heard that about Chesterfield.

Big hugs.

[Ascender]

I guess at that stage all you can hope for is not to prolong things for him. It's good you managed to get over to see him and also that despite all the painkillers he's lucid and sharp. Thoughts with you and the family... not just about being in Chesterfield obvs.

[Explosive Newt]

Dad has three tumours in his bowel, one in his lungs and one in his liver.
I'm back in Chesterfield. It's fucking horrific.

[DeskJockey]

Really sorry to hear that, but hope he doesn't suffer for long.

[Gavin]

I am really glad you made it, sorry about everything else.

[Mito Man]

[John]

I haven't got anything to add to what has already been posted, hard times.

[Jimmy Choo]

For those not Friends with Dave on FB:

I’m very sorry to share the news that Dad passed away just before 4pm this afternoon. He was seen in the past 24hrs by various members of his congregation keeping his faith topped up nice and high. He passed quietly and peacefully surrounded by a small group of family and his very closest friends.
Funeral arrangements will come in due course and I’ll post them here and the details will be shared via his congregation and other networks.
Please raise a glass to Dad tonight, he’d be quite moved he’s in so many of your thoughts.
Speak soon.

Condolences, you hairy bastard. Im glad you got say goodbye but what a shitty birthday.

[dinny_g]

That's very sad but I'm glad you got back in time to be with him.

Sincerest Condolences Dave - I shall indeed raise a glass to him this evening

Rest in Peace

[mik]

Thanks for posting Jimmy.

Condolences Dave and RIP.

Really tough, but you must be so glad you could get here in time.

[Gavster]

Sending lots of love to you and your family

[DeskJockey]

Our condolences for your loss.