Sandra Pearce, much loved wife to Phil, mother to Garry, Emma and myself, mother-in-law to Renee, Neale and Andy, and Nana to Charlie, James, Ashleigh, Sam, Phoebe-Jo and Maggie-May, was adored by all who knew her.
Mum was a "do it" person. If she said she was going to do something, it would be done before anyone had time to think about it.
She was not just a hairdresser. She was a cook, home help and an all-round social worker.
Mum hadn't been feeling too good with back ache and upper stomach pains.
She had been to see the doctor and was given tablets to ease the pain.
She was still suffering in May 2010 when we went away for a surprise family holiday for Dad's 70th birthday.
But Mum being Mum she put on a brave face for her family and grandchildren and joined in the fun.
Nobody realised how bad things were, not even Mum.
She carried on with her daily routine, and one Friday in June, between clients, she went to Leicester General Hospital for a scan.
Mum was asked to wait outside whilst they had a second opinion then was called back in for a re-scan.
After that, she was then told that the results would be sent to her GP within 10 days.
We went away that weekend to Chelmsford for my brother-in-law's 40th birthday celebrations, and yet again Mum being Mum joined in the celebrations with this niggle in the back of her mind.
On Monday, June 7, 2010, at 8am, the surgery called to make an appointment for Mum to see her GP.
I spoke to Mum that morning. she said she would pop round to see me. I waited and waited.
Then Dad called me to say that Mum would be round later. I knew something wasn't right.
Mum did turn up at my house four hours later, and that's when she broke the news that the scan had shown she had secondary cancer.
Mum being Mum put on a brave face. I cried.
X-rays and blood tests followed and then on July 5, the day before my birthday, we went for the results, only to be told that Mum had pancreatic cancer and that there was nothing that could be done.
Mum being Mum put others before herself again and agreed to test new drugs for the cancer research team at Leicester Royal Infirmary.
She deteriorated and was sent into Loros to build her strength up so that she could have the treatment, but the worst news was to come.
Mum only had weeks, if not days, as she now had complete liver failure.
As we had promised her, Dad, my sister Emma, brother Garry and myself cared for Mum at home.
I can't say it brought us comfort – it didn't – but we kept that promise.
Mum passed away five weeks after being told that she may have six months to two years to live.
Today, we are only eight months down the line, and no, it's not getting any easier.
My sister and I entered the Twilight Walk in April to help raise money for Loros, who did a fantastic job caring for Mum, and now we are going to do something good in memory of my Mum.
I am going to either run, walk or crawl the Race for Life to help others out there.
It won't help Mum but I know that every penny I raise will help someone.
I'm not the fittest of people but I have now started my training and I know it will get easier,
I would like to thank all of our family, friends and Mum's clients for their help and support through the last months.
I know that they miss Mum as much as we do.
My sister, Emma Kelleher, a paramedic from Chelmsford, is joining me in this quest to help others fight this awful thing we know as cancer.
If anyone would like to help me in my quest in the memory of Mum please do so by donating to:
http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/joward0607
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