Help with funeral costs

Marks story....

 

Hi. I am Cheryl sister to Mark. Mark was just 44 years old.  Mark was fit and healthy man. In January 2022 he started feeling unwell. He contacted his GP who fobbed him off, he had experienced symptoms that could be connected to issues with his bowel. As he felt worse he contacted them again. They eventually in February took blood and his results came back showing an issue with his liver and the GP ordered a scan... that said it could take 8 weeks to receive a scan appointment.

 

Mark further deteriorated and his symptoms meant he could no longer go out. He contacted his GP again at the end of February and was told not to call them again and wait for the scan. Mark was not someone who would bother his GP and unfortunately accepted their constant fob offs

 

At the beginning of March 2022 I called an ambulance as the rate he was deteriorating was concerning, he was rushed to hospital. The paramedics where in shock he had been left in this state by the GP. 

 

On March 7th (cruel twist of fate, our dads birthday who died of cancer 5 years ago) We were given the devastating news Mark had colon cancer that had spread to his liver and was terminal. His prognosis was 2 months to live without chemo 2 years with if we were lucky. Mark had explained to his GP on a number of occasions that our dad had died of the same cancer so as his children were told we needed to be vigilant should we experience any symptoms - He was ignored.

 

The hospital in my opinion have faffed around for 1 month and not started any chemo. Last Thursday 7th April 2022 he was admitted to hospital with complete kidney failure. Too ill to start chemo, they have tried dialysis to reverse the failure. This morning. 10th April, we have been told he is bleeding internally and there is nothing further they can do. He will pass in the next 72 hrs.

Mark was absolutely fine at Christmas, we had no clue it would be our last with him.  He had minor symptoms, but was reassured by his GP it was nothing to worry about. We never thought we'd need to be thinking about his funeral costs so I have been left with no choice but to ask anyone who knows, me, my family, but in particular Mark, if they could help me get funds towards the cost.

My mom is devastated, sat at her sons side watching him slowly fade away. It would be so good if she could have one less thing on her shoulders.

Mark passed away 11th April 2022. He was never offered chemo, he was ignored by his GP, he was left to die in his flat. I will never understand how a consultant can tell a person they only have 8 weeks to live without chemo, but not offer any for 5 weeks? We have been so badly let down.

 

Thank you all those who have been kind enough to donate so far. 

 

Cheryl