'Forever in debt to Emily Rose'
Emily Rose
Loughrey had everything to look forward to. She had graduated
from university and was embarking on a trip around Australia.
But then Emily's life was
tragically cut short. She was diagnosed with cancer and after a
short battle with the illness, she passed away in June 2007. She
was just 22.
Emily (pictured), nicknamed Embo,
and best friend Natalie flew out to Australia in January but
as soon as they touched down in Cairns Emily went to hospital
complaining of swollen glands. She was treated for deep vein
thrombosis and continued with the holiday.
But six weeks later Emily's health
deteriorated and she was admitted to a Sydney hospital
The doctor rang the Loughrey family
in Chatham to say Emily needed her mum and Caroline flew out to
join her in Sydney. It was then they were told the heartbreaking
diagnosis.
Emily was flown home and admitted
to the Royal Marsden Hospital, London. She underwent a course of
chemotherapy but the day before her 22nd birthday she complained of
a headache and was readmitted .
Doctors discovered two lesions on
her brain and told Emily's family there was nothing more they could
do.
Eleven days later, Emily died with
her parents and sister Jessica, who was 18 at the time, at her
bedside.
More than 200 people attended her
funeral and the service ended with the theme tune from Friends, her
favourite television programme.
Dad Matt said: "Emily was someone
who would always put a smile on someone's face.
"As a family we will be forever in
debt to Emily Rose for giving us 22 years of treasured moments.
"The debt also runs to the staff at
the Royal Marsden and the CLIC Sargent charity team for the support
they gave to the all the Loughrey family."
13/01/12
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