‘Wear a bit of colour in tribute’
LOVED ones of inspirational dad Lee Adams are preparing to say their last goodbyes.
The 43-year-old died two weeks ago, two years after he was diagnosed with terminal skin cancer and told he had just six to 12 months left.
Friends and family will gather at Newcastle’s West Road Crematorium for his funeral tomorrow. His family say they want the service, which will begin at 2pm, to be a celebration of Lee’s life.
His nephew, Nath Adams, said: “We have asked people to go smart, but with a bit of colour, to represent Lee.
“It will be a sad day but there will be some funny stories. It will be a celebration of his life.”
Lee’s cancer was discovered in November 2016 after he went to see his doctor because he had been feeling lethargic and out of breath while working in the Middle East.
Tests revealed he had stage 4 melanoma and subsequent scans showed the diseased had spread to his brain, where four tumours were discovered.
Lee, from Wallsend, chose to reject NHS cancer treatments in favour of a healthy diet and alternative therapies in a bid to stay fit and well and secure more time with son Ronan, now four. His efforts appeared to be paying off towards the end of last year, when a check-up revealed his tumours had reduced from four to two.
And in June Lee said he believed his determination to stay with Ronan, along with his positive attitude, had also helped keep the cancer at bay. He said: “I’ll do anything to stay with Ronan. He’s the one that keeps me going. If it wasn’t for this cheeky little man sitting next to me I wouldn’t be here.
“From opening my eyes in the morning he’s all I think about.”
He added: “I don’t agree with doctors saying you have a time limit as a lot of people who don’t have a strong mind just give up, you will just shut yourself down.”
But Lee’s health took a turn for the worse in recent months as it was discovered two brain tumours he thought had shrunk had returned. Once the cancer spread to his liver nothing could be done to save him, and the former doorman died in hospital on October 26.
Paying tribute, Nath, 21, said: “He was my uncle, but he was like a best mate as well. He was always giving me advice.”
I don’t agree with doctors saying you have a time limit as people who don’t have a strong mind just give up