Louise’s story

My husband Mark was much liked and loved by all who knew him. Mark was a positive and happy man who loved his family and enjoyed life.

He was well known in our community as someone who always had time for others. He would always be out and about taking the dog for a walk or on a bike ride and chatting endlessly with everyone around. People loved his stories and knowledge on all topics, with his favourite being Hamworthy.

Mark loved living in Hamworthy. He loved being close to the sea where he would spend hours out and about in the harbour. One of his favourite places was “Little Shore” – this was where he would spend time working on his boat, preparing for a day’s fishing and also to spend time with his fishing mates. Mark always said he’d been as far as Australia but there was no better place than Hamworthy or as Mark would say “‘amworthy”.

In March 2019 we had the devastating news that Mark had metastatic lung cancer.

Mark was under Dr Bayne and his team in oncology at Poole Hospital. Dr Bayne explained to us and our children about Mark’s cancer and the treatment available to him.

The cancer was incurable but treatable. The first few months were difficult as Mark was so unwell. He was admitted to Poole Hospital and had a visit from Pauline Warren from Forest Holme. She suggested Mark may be more comfortable staying at Forest Holme. He would have an ensuite room and patio area which was much nicer than being in a ward that was very busy and noisy.

We always believed Forest Holme was for end-of life-care but we learnt that they did so much more; respite stays for people that needed pain management and many other ways to help people.

It really is an amazing place with a fantastic support system. Whilst Mark was in Forest Holme, friends and family could visit anytime of the day or night. Even our dog Alfie was welcome to visit, too. Everyone was lovely and kind and nothing was too much trouble.

Mark started radiotherapy and was also tested for an immunotherapy drug to which he matched and was able to start straight away. This soon helped and Mark was able to pick up quite quickly. Eventually both the radiotherapy and the immunotherapy drug made Mark’s cancer stable.

Mark was a man that could put his hand to anything. He always had a project on the go. If you needed any advice or help on DIY, Mark was the one to go to.

Mark loved photography, fishing and bike riding. He had a collection of bikes and his favourite was the tradesman bike of which he had two. Mark loved a flat cap too and we all had a nickname for him which he quite liked – “Flat Cap Mark”.

One of Mark’s greatest wishes was to be a Grandad. This came true in October 2019 when we welcomed our grandson Sonny. We were then blessed again with a granddaughter in May 2020 when Mia-Lou arrived.

Mark loved the grandparent life. We made as many memories as we possibly could.

Those years were very special for us both. The grandparent life is beautiful, fun and so full of happiness. Mark always said being a grandad helped keep him positive and strong.

There were still things Mark wanted to do including a trip to Malta and a day trip on the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, The Waverley. We went to Malta and to the places Mark wanted to see and we had a great time and made lots of memories. As soon as we heard The Waverley was coming to Poole, we got that booked up.

I arranged a message for him over the tannoy and Mark thought that was so funny. After that everyone knew Mark on the ship. Again, we had a great time and created many more memories.

Another project came up; an extension on our home. Mark was determined to be involved and do as much as he possibly could. In fact he was so involved he would be called ‘The Foreman’. He loved being with the lads working again and enjoying all the banter on the job. It was sheer determination and so much love and support from his family that Mark achieved so much in the last 5 years of his life whilst fighting cancer.