HELP lay our father to rest...

Hi.. Alexander here, one of Terrys three sons. Many of you may know me as Alex but it seems more fitting to use it here given my father would always insist on using it.

I can say with a heavy heart, that our Dad.. Terry, after the toughest and most unexpected fight of his, life passed away at home surrounded by his family on Thursday 8th February 2024.

He is so incredibly strong to have endured the discomfort and distress that was thrown at him since hearing he had three months to live, for the second time, on January 22nd of this year. He passed less than three weeks later.

Cancer is an awful awful thing to have to deal with and with so much ‘support’ out there from hospitals, charities and hospices, my father’s end of life care should have been streamlined and communicated effectively. It was not and he was let down at every opportunity of care given. Our Dad deserved so much better.

It is only now that I can guarantee that he is no longer in any distress or pain and can only hope that all the laughter and joyful memories we have of him shine over what we had to witness him experience in his last week of life. We will forever be lost without him.

For now, we are kept busy with ensuring he has everything he needs to give him the best send off we can.

Thank you to everyone who has taken to time to reach out to my father during this difficult time and of course your ongoing support.

Rest now Daddy x

Written by our father, Terry, before his passing -

“Hi my name is Terry Downs (55) and unfortunately i was diagnosed with brain metastases 5 months ago , i was offered treatment but this did not work and it has been decided by the medical professional that there is nothing else they can do for me, except let me go home to comfort and die , i have been offered palliative care to make me comfortable , but i am more worried for the impact on my wife after my passing , of course we have discussed my funeral and was going to opt for a cheapy charlie , but i feel i wasn't given the chance of life but think i deserve the chance of a proper send off , hense this request please help where you can , all help appreciated, my wife Tracy will update everyone when the time comes”