Dean Wood, the love of my life, was diagnosed with a malignant and aggressive brain tumour called a Glioblastoma in April 2012 at the age of 27. Our world and perfect lives were quickly turned upside down and we now saw a very uncertain future. Dean underwent two brain surgeries; first to de-bulk, reduce pressure and take a biopsy for diagnosis, the second to remove as much tumour as possible. Dean recovered amazingly well and returned home to be with me and Phoebe, our beautiful daughter. At first Dean’s determination, positive attitude and the love we shared gave us hope and the battle began.
We were informed that Dean would need to commence on chemotherapy tablets for the foreseeable future so our next task was to have some sperm stored so our family could continue, once Dean had recovered. However, being a nurse, I could quickly identify that Dean’s mobility was declining and shortly after radiotherapy had finished he was hospitalised with a gain in pressure in his head. We were prepared for the worst and told that this could be the end of Deans journey. I refused to give up and with the great help from the medical team and specialist nurse Dean pulled through but I was then given the news I was dreading, the tumour had not responded to treatment and Dean had a maximum of six months to live.
“My fundraising helps me because I know how much Dean would be proud that he is helping others. As a dedication to Dean I have promised to raise funds yearly to hopefully find a cure, improve treatment and diagnosis and support those families affected”
We decided that the best care for Dean would be at home and so I took on responsibility of co-coordinating Dean’s care and he came home to be with his family. In the days that followed Dean slowly declined but, I felt honoured to look after him in these last few precious weeks, our love was stronger than ever and sadly he passed away on the 14 November 2012.
Dean is with us every minute of every day and is, and always will be a huge part of our lives. Me and Phoebe have vowed to talk about dean often, smile every day and laugh always in Dean’s honour. I bring up Phoebe in a fun and loving home just like Dean would have wanted, she is my little piece of Dean.
Only being 23 when I was widowed, I struggled and I did not know how to live a life without Dean beside me.
I was honoured to be asked to open a supporter group in memory of Dean and was excited to be the creator of ‘The Dean Wood Fund’ in January 2014.
Hollie Wood
(Deans life partner and soul mate)