Someone needs a bit of help
Sittingstress, hear hear, not a lot left to say.
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Says it all really...... Sigh.
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Thank you Sittingstress and all the relevant service parties for standing in for us PPruners.
I shall raise a glass tomorrow in A-M's memory knowing that we did a little to help her have some, albeit little, comfort.
I shall raise a glass tomorrow in A-M's memory knowing that we did a little to help her have some, albeit little, comfort.
My Daughter - Natasha
I am not too sure where to post this but hopefully all will become clear.
The reason why I wanted to do something for A-M was because at the time my daughter was terminally ill with a brain tumour. In Sept 2007 at 16 years old she was a normal, healthy young lady looking forward to starting college. A chance visit one Saturday to Boots to have her reading glasses prescription updated picked up a swelling in her brain. To cut a long story short by Sunday she had surgery to insert a shunt and remove the fluid causing the swelling. This sudden loss of pressure damaged her optic nerves and she was left completely blind. She was later diagnosed with a rare type of brain tumour and given a prognosis of 12 months.
For whatever reason she survived and rebuilt her life. She went to college at Loughborough and gained 2 music qualifications as well as learning how to live as a blind person at the nearby RNIB College. She taught herself Braille, to play an electric and bass guitar, she raised thousands for her own charities, gave her savings to the local RAF Regt Association as the members could not afford the cost of a minibus to attend the laying up of the standard, won a place at Uni where her work ethic put her as one of the better achievers trouncing her sighted fellow students, she fell in love, got a flat and lived with her fiancee (who is also blind).
At the beginning of this year she became ill again and underwent several regimes of chemotherapy. In the early hours of this morning, after her massive battle with cancer, the bravest person I have ever known passed away in her sleep. We were holding her hands and cuddling her. We are privileged to have had our daughter in our lives for 24 years of which the last 8 she took on her brain tumours and fought them with everything she had. I wish I was a tenth of the person she was.
The champagne for A-M was Natasha's idea but because she didn't know her she asked me to sort it out for her. Natasha just wanted to be involved and she took great pleasure in helping me count the bottles and package them up. She didn't want her condition to distract from the sentiment which is why she asked me to sort it and read her your responses.
We have lost our wonderful daughter and I wanted to let you all know who was behind the champagne plan.
That is why I have posted this here.
The reason why I wanted to do something for A-M was because at the time my daughter was terminally ill with a brain tumour. In Sept 2007 at 16 years old she was a normal, healthy young lady looking forward to starting college. A chance visit one Saturday to Boots to have her reading glasses prescription updated picked up a swelling in her brain. To cut a long story short by Sunday she had surgery to insert a shunt and remove the fluid causing the swelling. This sudden loss of pressure damaged her optic nerves and she was left completely blind. She was later diagnosed with a rare type of brain tumour and given a prognosis of 12 months.
For whatever reason she survived and rebuilt her life. She went to college at Loughborough and gained 2 music qualifications as well as learning how to live as a blind person at the nearby RNIB College. She taught herself Braille, to play an electric and bass guitar, she raised thousands for her own charities, gave her savings to the local RAF Regt Association as the members could not afford the cost of a minibus to attend the laying up of the standard, won a place at Uni where her work ethic put her as one of the better achievers trouncing her sighted fellow students, she fell in love, got a flat and lived with her fiancee (who is also blind).
At the beginning of this year she became ill again and underwent several regimes of chemotherapy. In the early hours of this morning, after her massive battle with cancer, the bravest person I have ever known passed away in her sleep. We were holding her hands and cuddling her. We are privileged to have had our daughter in our lives for 24 years of which the last 8 she took on her brain tumours and fought them with everything she had. I wish I was a tenth of the person she was.
The champagne for A-M was Natasha's idea but because she didn't know her she asked me to sort it out for her. Natasha just wanted to be involved and she took great pleasure in helping me count the bottles and package them up. She didn't want her condition to distract from the sentiment which is why she asked me to sort it and read her your responses.
We have lost our wonderful daughter and I wanted to let you all know who was behind the champagne plan.
That is why I have posted this here.
Sittingstress - I just don't know what to say other than " May your God go with you and your family". You will have huge support here, and if you need something particular I guess you would just need to ask and someone would come up with what you were after. We have, as far as I know, never met, but my most sincere condolences at your loss.
The very tone and calm emotion in your writing speaks volumes. I suspect that sometime in her last hours, Natasha would have thought herself blessed to have had people like you in her family and in her corner. I hope you don't mind me saying so. Grieve her fast, then revel in her life very slowly and evey day.
CG
CG
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I have been sitting trying to think what one could possibly say to alleviate some of the pain and grief you are going through at this time, but nothing can and words fail me 
No parent should lose a child and certainly not lose one so young, it was a mark of her character that even when going through such adversities herself that she was thinking of others in A-M.
Be strong SS for both yourself and for the family, my heart goes out to you all. Take strength and remember the good times from Natasha's life, they are the things that will help you through, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family at this time.
NL
No parent should lose a child and certainly not lose one so young, it was a mark of her character that even when going through such adversities herself that she was thinking of others in A-M.
Be strong SS for both yourself and for the family, my heart goes out to you all. Take strength and remember the good times from Natasha's life, they are the things that will help you through, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family at this time.
NL
A PM sent.
Sittingstress,
Terrible terrible news, my deepest condolences. If there is any justice in this world, A-M will have been waiting at the gates with a glass of champers, and the girls are now comparing notes.
Terrible terrible news, my deepest condolences. If there is any justice in this world, A-M will have been waiting at the gates with a glass of champers, and the girls are now comparing notes.
Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts they all mean a great deal. I am not sure what else to say, we appreciate everything that has been said.
One last act by Natasha:
Natasha's first tumour was called a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma and itself is a rare occurance. It affects young children before they are 10 and has a zero survival rate. Very little is known about DIPGs apart from they are always fatal. Natasha was unique in that she was diagnosed at 16 and survived for 8 years, no-one knows why. She was passionate about her work as a Young Ambassador for the Brain Tumour Charity and several years ago decided she wanted to make a difference. Tomorrow morning our awesome daughter will donate her whole brain for specialist research into DIPGs. She was adamant she wanted this to happen and we are very proud of her for allowing it.
A research laboratory has already been identified which is headed by a man who has made great strides into the make up of DIPGs and he has told us Natasha's brain tissue will be invaluable as samples are so rare.
Apart from total love and devastation that she is gone, my overwhelming emotion is one of pride. I am proud to be her father.
One last act by Natasha:
Natasha's first tumour was called a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma and itself is a rare occurance. It affects young children before they are 10 and has a zero survival rate. Very little is known about DIPGs apart from they are always fatal. Natasha was unique in that she was diagnosed at 16 and survived for 8 years, no-one knows why. She was passionate about her work as a Young Ambassador for the Brain Tumour Charity and several years ago decided she wanted to make a difference. Tomorrow morning our awesome daughter will donate her whole brain for specialist research into DIPGs. She was adamant she wanted this to happen and we are very proud of her for allowing it.
A research laboratory has already been identified which is headed by a man who has made great strides into the make up of DIPGs and he has told us Natasha's brain tissue will be invaluable as samples are so rare.
Apart from total love and devastation that she is gone, my overwhelming emotion is one of pride. I am proud to be her father.
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You should be proud, and justifiably too, what a superb thing your daughter has done, to think she may help irradicate this horrendous disease amongst children must give you and your family comfort. As I have said, be strong and remember the good times.
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Last edited by NutLoose; 3rd Dec 2015 at 00:33.
This whole thread has filled me with total admiration for everyone involved. The courage and thought for others in times of severe stress is beyond words. I hope we were as strong.
I should mention we had two other grownup sons who were an immense help and comfort. I hope you have as much support.
I should mention we had two other grownup sons who were an immense help and comfort. I hope you have as much support.
Thank you all very much for your kind words and thoughts.
Natasha's funeral will be on the 19th Dec in Peterborough and whilst I will be desperately sad to say my goodbye I will be bursting with pride remembering all the efforts she made to mentor others with cancer or who had lost their sight. She used her determination to meet with the Speaker of the House of Commons about an issue, worked with the Brain Tumour Charity putting into place and launching their 5 year strategy, and being the most fantastic daughter.
She planned her own funeral and has come up with some very touching arrangements and a very cheeky one which perfectly demonstrates her sense of humour.
Once again thank you all.
Natasha's funeral will be on the 19th Dec in Peterborough and whilst I will be desperately sad to say my goodbye I will be bursting with pride remembering all the efforts she made to mentor others with cancer or who had lost their sight. She used her determination to meet with the Speaker of the House of Commons about an issue, worked with the Brain Tumour Charity putting into place and launching their 5 year strategy, and being the most fantastic daughter.
She planned her own funeral and has come up with some very touching arrangements and a very cheeky one which perfectly demonstrates her sense of humour.
Once again thank you all.
