Dad had suffered from vascular dementia and Alzheimer's,TIAs then, latterly, partial seizures over five years but continued to show an avid interest in news and world affairs until three days before he passed. He maintained his quick wit, together with his sense of humour and fairness, throughout the last years and relished pitting his wits against the questions asked during the annual assessment at the Memory Clinic! Dad was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in September 2016. The growth was too close to his heart and, although radiotherapy and chemotherapy might slightly slow the progress of the cancer, the side effects were likely to be very unpleasant and the eventual outcome was going to be the same, Dad then determined to forego any therapies and requested that his condition be kept private so that he would be treated in the same way by everyone outside the medical or care environment. His philosophical attitude was that he had lived much longer than he ever thought he might (after surviving a bowel cancer operation at 69 years, the loss of his younger daughter to cancer and the continued control of prostate cancer via quarterly injections for about the last ten years). He also reaffirmed his 'qualification' as an "arch coward" and asked only that he would not be in pain or allowed to suffer. Amazingly, although he lost his appetite (a great sadness for Dad as he loved his food), he was pain-free until his last four days of life. Grateful thanks for the high level provision of care are due to: * Home Instead, Fareham (Dad's care agency and "dream team" of 30 months) ^ Dr Millman, Dr Plumtree and Dr Cousins at Gudge Heath Lane Surgery * The doctors, consultants and nursing staff at QA Hospital * Fareham Community Nurses * Rowans Hospice Palliative Care Team * Fareham Pharmacy in Highlands Road, Fareham. I can truly say that (with the exception of Fareham Adult Services) all of Dad's requests, needs and wishes were followed to the letter and we could not have been given better care from any (except one agency) of the afore-mentioned providers even if we had had unlimited funds available to pay privately for these facilities. Thank you, all, so much for all that you did for Dad during his 'retirement' years and, specifically, for the care given by you all since Mum died. With appreciation, respect and warmest regards to you all. Ingrid x x x

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