Joseph John Hart - Age: 73

Our wonderful Dad died on 2.6.2022 at the age of 73 at home with my sister and I cuddling him, telling him how much we love him.

It was 30th December 2021 when we were told that Dad had cholangiocarcinoma, only having had painless jaundice for 2 days as a symptom. We were told that his prognosis was 12 months at best. Dad was never aware of this, but he knew cholangiocarcinoma was serious. He died 6 months from diagnosis.

Initially, we were told that Dad would be able to have curative surgery, but after a stent procedure, he developed necrotising pancreatitis which made him seriously unwell. Chemotherapy was also not possible. We were desperate for there to be a treatment option and we researched academic papers to find some hope. I have worked in cancer care for many years and thought there would be an option for Dad - but there wasn't. This left us devastated and I have never felt so hopeless.

I tried to remain positive for Dad and our family. Dad always said that we should take each day as it came - and that's what we did. We made the best of our time together. Dad loved music and was so well read. It was almost impossible to find a book that he hadn't read! We spent every day together and listened to his favourite music.

From diagnosis, Dad had several hospital admissions with sepsis and pneumonia, but he fought back and we were able to take him to his beloved Benidorm twice. We looked out to sea together in the Old Town, played card games and danced to rock and roll music. We will cherish these precious moments forever.

As a family, we are so grateful that Dad had an incredible GP and specialist nurse since diagnosis and for the community nurses who supported us to care for Dad at home in his final two weeks. We found the AMMF community after Dad was diagnosed and this was a huge help for information and support from others in the same unfortunate position.

My wish is for no other families to find themselves having no hope of treatment or cure from cholangiocarcinoma. I will continue to support AMMF and raise awareness of the need for research and kinder treatment options in my Dad's memory.

Penelope Hart Spencer