Peter is walking the very last of his precious 500 miles right now

Canberra, Australia snusher@gmail.com

Quick message from Lynne

Peter was admitted to Clare Holland House for pain managment last Wed, just a fleeting 9 days ago. We were told that the recent CT scan showed that the lungs & liver were affected by cancer also, as well as the stomach.  We have had a few beautiful days together, and our time with Jeremy & Finn was wonderful, with Peter walking and we all walked around the grounds and to the playground with Finn on Sat.

On Sunday Peter needed a wheel chair to move about outside his room, but has been fine walking within his own room.   Peter had a leave pass for last Friday afternoon & came home.  Our neice Vanessa & her friend Rikki & small son Luca of 15 months came & we all spent the afternoon together, with the 2 small boys able to share the toys scatterd around.  I drove Peter back to CHH for the evening.

Tuesday 13 July the medical team advised me that any family Peter needed to see should come straight away as Peter's liver was deteriorating quickly and he only had days to live.  Daughter Juliet & sister Gina both arrived on Wed flights, Juliet in the morning, Gina in the afternoon.  Juliet had a very special morning chatting to her Dad, with me coming & going & giving them time together.  Our neice Vanessa met Gina's flight, and came to CHH bringing her two boys, our nephews, Artie & Benny.  Benny had done a special painting for Peter which is on his wall.  We were all in tears as Peter hugged each one tightly & said goodbye as they left.  Gina gave Peter a big hug for everyone in the family, for Rachel & John in London and Rebecca, currently in Canada. She is doing a wonderful job representing all his close family.  Thank you family for all your recent phone calls & emails.  Gina brought some early photos taken when she & Peter were small, the 1st 2 of the 5 children, & one photo of the 4 children, before the baby of the family Rebecca arrived.  Peter's Mum was a very beautiful young Mum, always so proud of her brood.  We handed them around & decided that Finn definitely looked like his Grandad.  Peter & I had not seen the photos before.

Yesterday Peter was able to say a few words, knew & greeted the people around him. The last 2 nights I have slept at CHH, so I could do anything that Peter needed, calling the night nurses to help out when needed.  With the changing of the guard, Juliet & Gina are sharing daytime with Peter now, and I have come home.  I will go back shortly and be there tonight.  Peter was put on a syringe driver midday yesterday.  This is attached to him and administers medication to relieve pain & nausea around the clock.  Peter was sleeping peacefully as I left, and will gradually sleep more.

Thanks for all your love, prayers & support for us all.  It is so good to have Juliet, Gian & Ness here for those last precious 500 miles that Peter is travelling now.