Rich, 41, visited his doctor for shoulder pain he thought was a tennis injury. But then came the shock. He was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer and died 11 months later. informs The scariest part is that he had almost no warning signs. He was healthy, played sports and the only thing that bothered him was shoulder pain. Only later did it become clear that the pain was caused by metastases in the liver, which pressed on the diaphragm.
When they learned the diagnosis in January 2020, the doctor told them the harsh truth. “It’s fatal. Nothing can be done.” you listened. The cancer had already spread and there was no chance of a cure. “It was like an atomic bomb went off in our lives,” recalls wife Louisa.
The pandemic made the situation even worse. Rich had to go to many examinations alone, while Louisa managed three young children at home. He underwent six cycles of chemotherapy, but the disease progressed. His greatest fear was not death, but leaving his children, aged 4, 6 and 8, behind.
The family eventually found support in the Ruth Strauss Foundationfounded by former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss after the death of his wife. Organization them she helped prepare children for the worst and handle the most difficult conversations about death.
Rich passed away in November 2020. Today, Louisa works as a child therapist and warns others. “Bowel cancer may not have obvious symptoms. Talk as a family. Be honest. And if in doubt, get tested.” refers to all parents.
