Daniel, aged 13

One of the nurses told me about this website, and I had a look at other people's stories, and I did not feel alone because I saw other people's parents were ill and that made me feel that my dad was not the only one that had cancer.

In January, my dad went to see a specialist at the hospital, and he was told he had cancer and a month later he was told he was going to die. We carried on being ourselves and it got to August and we went on holiday to Alton Towers. But the day after, I went to my mum and dad's room and I saw my dad with an oxygen mask on his face and it made me upset, but I knew he was going to be ok. Then the doctor said we might have to go home so my dad would be safe. So we went home and he was ok.

Then November came and my dad was going into a hospice. I went in the next day and I was pleased because of how much help he was getting and one of the nurses told me about this website, and I had a look at other people's stories, and I did not feel alone because I saw other people's parents were ill and that made me feel that my dad was not the only one that had cancer.

Then a week later, on a Monday night at 6.30, I asked my mum if she wanted a break from staying with dad in the hospice, so we went to McDonalds for teas. My mum got a call from the nurse to say they needed mum down at the hospice quick. Then my neighbour got a call to bring my brother and me down to the hospice, and when we got in we could see my mum upset and crying, then I knew what was up with her. When we went in the conservatory she told me that my dad had passed on and there was no more pain in him anymore. Then we went in and said goodbye, then my dad's side of the family went in and then my mum's side, then friends. Then they cleaned him up nicely and we all went in and my grandpa said a prayer, and then we went home and organised the funeral.

Page updated 18 July 2012