George's Story

Hi,
My name is George Lumb. I am 9 years old and my dad has been on HPN since before I was even born. I have been asked to write about how I feel about my dad's illness.

I feel quite sad when my dad has go into hospital as I miss him, and I only get to see him for a few hours one day a week, as he goes to Addenbrooke's hospital in Cambridge and we live in York. I do know that he'll feel better though when he comes home again, and I always look forward to seeing him when I visit him.

In April we were supposed to go on holiday to Gran Canaria and I was really, really looking forward to it. My dad had started being poorly the day before we got to the airport, and just before we got on the plane my mum and dad had to cancel the holiday. This made me feel very sad, angry and disappointed. Mum and dad promised me that they would take me on another holiday though, and this was even better because Nan and Grandad came on this one.

When my friends talk about going for meals to Pizza Hut and things, I sometimes get a bit jealous because we don't really go out for meals very often, as my dad is not able to eat very much and is usually sick after he eats.

I feel really important sometimes because my dad has shown me how to help him out when he has forgotten to open something onto his trolley when he's already put his gloves on. I know how very important it is that I do it properly and it makes me feel that dad really trusts me with something so important.

My dad has had to stop working last year because of his illness and I love it that my dad can come and pick me up from school and come to watch me play football, golf and karate after school.

I feel that my dad is no different to any other dad; it's just like my best friend James because he has a step-dad who has diabetes, so it's no different to that really.

George

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