I did, did, but his colour and breathing rapidly deteriorated. Over the phone they told me to get him on the floor and start CPR. We did. He was dead within 3 minutes.
We knew the moment he died but we kept on with CPR until the ambulance crew arrived and then they took over. My eldest son Phil arrived at the hospital for us to tell him his Dad was dead. I had to tell my middle son who was living in Doncaster at the time over the phone. On post mortem they told me his internal organs were covered in a rash and a week later it was found to be Bacterial Men W.
John, despite the long hours he worked, was a brilliant involved Dad. He was school governor, coached Richard’s rugby team and ran the line at the boys' football matches.
In every way he was there for our boys. Phil, Rich and Tim miss him so much but I am so proud of the way they have dealt with his loss. Phil has moved onto a new job and started his masters, Rich has moved to a new job in London and Tim achieved a 1st class honours degree. They would have so loved to tell their Dad these things. They have achieved all of this because their Dad lives on through them.
Meningococcal septicaemia is cruel and it respects no one. It presents in many ways.