‘There’s a real empty space in my life now’
MUM RAISING MONEY IN MEMORY OF ‘PERFECT SON’ WHO DIED OF BRAIN CANCER
THE mum of a 30-year-old “perfect son” who died of a brain tumour in January has told of the devastating reality she is facing three months on.
Andi Peel died peacefully at home in Groby, in Hinckley and Bosworth, on January 11, three years after his diagnosis.
Andi had been his mum’s “rock” since his dad died in a road traffic incident in 2012, Linda said.
“We used to go on holidays together and we’d talk every day,” she said.
“There’s a real empty space in my life now. Andi was amazing. He was a perfect son from the day he was born to the day he passed.”
The retail manager had bought his own house not long before he was diagnosed in 2020 but decided to move back home when he received the news.
He had started getting headaches in August 2019 which became worse over time. An MRI scan at Leicester Royal Infirmary revealed a mass on his brain. After surgery to remove the tumour, Andi received radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
His condition declined further after a seizure in 2021 which left him blind and unable to use his legs.
Linda, 56, said: “He was loving, caring and even through his illness he was more concerned about everyone else.
“Where he found the mental strength to deal with what he did, I don’t know.
“He was just brilliant. He still smiled and he still laughed – his courage was amazing.
“It was hard but I got to look after him until the end and that’s what I wanted.
“The week before he died he just went downhill quite quickly. And the morning he died, when I got up and saw him I just knew he wouldn’t last that day.”
Linda called Andi’s family and friends to visit him one last time and he passed away peacefully at home that day – something she said she was thankful for.
Three months on, Linda said there is “some relief” that Andi is no longer suffering.
Linda is determined to honour her son’s memory by raising money for the cancer charity Brain Tumour Research with the help of Andi’s best friend of 16 years, Ross Bland.
Andi’s friends and family have raised more than £18,000 through a number of fund-raising events and raised even more at a charity basketball match at the Morningside Arena, home of Leicester Riders.
Ross, who met Andi through their love of the sport, brought together
friends and players from across the basketball leagues to take part in the match.
A similar match took place last year.
“I think it will be more emotional this year. I know Ross has found it difficult but he has been amazing,” Linda said.
She also praised the efforts of her community, including the Stansted Arms in Groby, which has helped with fund-raising.
Ross said: “It was horrible to watch the way he declined and it’s been hard adjusting to life without Andi. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it.
“I’ve seen first-hand the devastation brain tumours cause.
“Andi was told by his GP he was just stressed so many times and that’s just not good enough.
“Brain tumours are hugely underfunded and more needs to be done so things can improve for others who have this disease.
“If raising awareness saves just one life, then this is worth it.”
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