Man tells of wife’s cancer battle
Man tells of wife’s tragic cancer battle
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IT WAS an act of selflessness and generosity.
But it was typical of proud mum Susan Drummond.
She sat down and meticulously planned for her family’s future, a future Susan knew she wouldn’t see.
With only months to live, brave Susan flicked through a catalogue and circled pretty clothes her daughter would love.
Her husband only discovered the poignant gesture after Susan lost her battle with cancer and devastated Gus was looking for clothes for their two children to wear to her funeral.
Gus said: “I had never been good at picking out clothes for Kerry.
“And I was panicking in case I didn’t know what to get.
“I was looking through a catalogue to pick out black jackets for the kids to wear to the funeral.
“But then I saw Susan had circled clothes for Kerry.
“She was obviously thinking ahead despite everything.”
Gus, of Portlethen, said the selfless act was typical of his loving wife.
The 42-year-old said she had even circled insurance policy numbers for him to contact when she had died.
Devastated Gus described Susan, mum to Flynn, 6, and Kerry, 4, as an inspiration.
He said: “She was my best friend. We bounced off each other.
“You wait all your life to find that special person and Susan was mine.
“She had kept on fighting and fighting.
“Susan was such a strong woman it was horrible for me to watch the woman I love become so ill.”
His 42-year-old wife died after a 19-month battle with cancer.
Susan, who was brought up in Mastrick, Aberdeen, went to the doctor in February last year after discovering a lump near her ribcage.
She was sent to the hospital for tests and weeks later told she had ovarian cancer.
Gus said: “We couldn’t believe it.
“Susan was angry and wanted to know what she had done to deserve it. She couldn’t understand why it had to be her.”
The former Aberdeen Airport security officer, who lived in Portlethen’s Fern Place, started chemotherapy.
Susan’s first treatment was on the same day as Gus’s father’s funeral.
He said: “It was horrible. I had my dad’s funeral and then I was desperate to be with Susan. The chemo was terrible.
“She lost her hair, was violently sick and really gaunt.”
Susan completed two different kinds of chemotherapy within 12 months. But the couple were told the cancer had spread.
It was a hard time for the family and they were determined to make use of the time Susan felt well.
They went on holiday to many places, including the Caribbean’s Turks and Caicos Islands, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Aviemore.
Gus said: “We crammed in as many holidays as we could.
“I’m so glad we did it because I have so many happy memories.”
Gus also helped fulfil one of Susan’s lifelong ambitions and bought a caravan.
The former security guard, who worked at Aberdeen Airport for 16 years, said: “She loved it there and we all enjoyed our time together.
“Susan had always wanted a caravan – it was a special time.”
However, Susan’s health continued to deteriorate and in April she started using a wheelchair.
Susan, who used to work for Scottish Brewers, also went to Roxburghe House.
She passed away surrounded by Gus, parents Les and Vickie and her brother-in-law Bobby and sister-in-law Janet.
Gus said: “I always wanted to be with her.
“I could see her getting weaker and weaker. It was heart-breaking.”
Gus relived the moment he told Flynn and Kerry about their mum’s death.
Gus, a prison officer at Craiginches jail, said: “They had seen their mum in pain and knew she was ill. The day she died I explained the angels had taken away mummy’s heart and soul to heaven.
“They now look at the stars and say mummy is in heaven.
“It is heartbreaking but it is their way of still having her with them.”
Susan’s colleagues at Aberdeen Airport have also described how she will be sorely missed.
Duty manager Malcolm Brown said: “Everyone loved Susan for her fantastic personality and positive outlook on life.
“She showed so much courage during her illness and is an inspiration to us all. We will all miss her very much and we are thinking of Gus, Flynn and Kerry.”
As a mark of respect, a flag will fly at half mast at Aberdeen Airport.
Susan’s funeral will take place at Aberdeen Crematorium West Chapel on Tuesday at 2.55pm.
