My Story

This is a summary of the year in my life that began this journey and is at the very heart of  Stop Before You Start.  

Dear Reader

On 18th of February 2008

My Mum ‘Trudy’ was admitted to hospital feeling tired and listless  — no energy. There were no other symptoms. After being moved to several different wards she was given an X-ray and on the 22 February, a shadow was found on her Lung and for the first time Lung Cancer was mentioned.

On the 10 March 2008

My mum died. As an only child I grieved with my Dad and of course my own family. However in the period after the funeral I knew something was not right with my Dad and

12 Weeks after my Mum died,

My Dad (Duncan) was also diagnosed with smoking related none small cell Lung Cancer.  I wrote poetry as an emotional release and the poems are now windows into my thoughts, feelings and  observations about living with Cancer and its unpredictability. My strength came from my dad who fought back with only his optimism his ‘special coffees’ and his juicer!

44 weeks after my Mum died

On my birthday, my dad was admitted into A @ E When he recovered, Dads hug was the best present he had ever given me.

On 08th the February 2009 my Dad, Duncan, died.

In February 2011 I was awarded the UnLtd Millenium Trust level 1 award and

Stop Before You Start was born

Sheila McGill