Andy was moving to MajorcaWhen you are told you have just months to live what do you do? Andy Fitchett, 56, decided to organise his own wake and is hosting it.
Raising a glass: "I want to say thank you"When you are told you have just months to live what do you do? Andy Fitchett, 56, decided to organise his own wake and is hosting it.
I'm a lucky man and have had a lucky life. Many people don't get a chance to say goodbye to people when they die but I have.
I'm a lucky man and have had a lucky life. Many people don't get a chance to say goodbye to people when they die but I have.
Others never live a life as long and happy as mine when they pass away. Take a 12-year-old killed in a car crash, they don't get a chance to live their life or say goodbye.
Others never live a life as long and happy as mine when they pass away. Take a 12-year-old killed in a car crash, they don't get a chance to live their life or say goodbye.
When I was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer I was planning a new life in Majorca. I'd bought two bars and was getting everything ready.
When I was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer I was planning a new life in Majorca. I'd bought two bars and was getting everything ready.
No emotion
No emotion
A week after returning to the UK from a trip over there my chest started hurting and I was rushed into hospital with a suspected heart attack.
A week after returning to the UK from a trip over there my chest started hurting and I was rushed into hospital with a suspected heart attack.
After eight-days of tests they told me I had a tumour on my lung and the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in my neck. I had six months to live.
After eight-days of tests they told me I had a tumour on my lung and the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in my neck. I had six months to live.
For days I was numb, I couldn't tell you what I felt because I felt no emotion at all. Then I realised I had two choices, I could sit in a corner and wait to die or I could get my life in order and enjoy what time I had left.
For days I was numb, I couldn't tell you what I felt because I felt no emotion at all. Then I realised I had two choices, I could sit in a corner and wait to die or I could get my life in order and enjoy what time I had left.
I can't imagine looking people in the eye knowing it is the last time I will see many of them. My priority was my two grown-up daughters, they were devastated when I told them. Things were made harder by the fact my wife - their mother - died 10 years ago of liver failure.
I can't imagine looking people in the eye knowing it is the last time I will see many of them. My priority was my two grown-up daughters, they were devastated when I told them. Things were made harder by the fact my wife - their mother - died 10 years ago of liver failure.
I wanted to make it as easy for them as I could, so I've planned everything down to a list of people to call when I die and have paid for my funeral.
I wanted to make it as easy for them as I could, so I've planned everything down to a list of people to call when I die and have paid for my funeral.
Sorting all my stuff out made me start to think about all the people who had come into my life and touched it. You meet loads of people, make lots of friends but sometimes you don't stay in touch, despite having the best of intentions.
Sorting all my stuff out made me start to think about all the people who had come into my life and touched it. You meet loads of people, make lots of friends but sometimes you don't stay in touch, despite having the best of intentions.
I realised I wanted to thank them all for being part of my life and being my friend, that's why I decided to organise and go to my own wake. The next day I also want to ring up those who don't turn up and ask why, as a joke.
I realised I wanted to thank them all for being part of my life and being my friend, that's why I decided to organise and go to my own wake. The next day I also want to ring up those who don't turn up and ask why, as a joke.
Strength
Strength
I do consider myself lucky and have had a hell of a life compared to some other people. My wake is not about mourning my loss, it is about celebrating that life. I have a chance to do that and others don't.
I do consider myself lucky and have had a hell of a life compared to some other people. My wake is not about mourning my loss, it is about celebrating that life. I have a chance to do that and others don't.
My wake is on 17 March, I have been given until May to live. It will be at Swindon Town Football Club. I have always been a supporter so it seemed a fitting place to hold it. I'm selling tickets and will give the money to charity.
I don't see myself as brave, people die everyday - I am grateful for the time I have left and want to make the most of it My wake is on 17 March, I have been given until May to live. It will be at Swindon Town Football Club. I have always been a supporter so it seemed a fitting place to hold it. I'm selling tickets and will give the money to charity.
There's a disco and a charity auction, but the rest of the evening will be off-the-cuff. I just want it to be a happy night.
There's a disco and a charity auction, but the rest of the evening will be off-the-cuff. I just want it to be a happy night.
Andy has always supported Swindon TownI will stand up and say a few words during the evening and I know that's when the emotion will really kick in. I can't imagine looking people in the eye knowing it is the last time I will see many of them.
I will stand up and say a few words during the evening and I know that's when the emotion will really kick in. I can't imagine looking people in the eye knowing it is the last time I will see many of them.
People's reaction to what I am doing has been superb. My daughters say they have taken strength from my attitude.
People's reaction to what I am doing has been superb. My daughters say they have taken strength from my attitude.
Someone I met at the football club the other day asked me if I was "the Andy". When I said yes he showed me his diary, in big letters he had written "inspirational man" under 17 March. He wanted eight tickets for the wake, which made me happy.
Someone I met at the football club the other day asked me if I was "the Andy". When I said yes he showed me his diary, in big letters he had written "inspirational man" under 17 March. He wanted eight tickets for the wake, which made me happy.
I find it all a bit baffling and don't understand what all the fuss is about. I don't see myself as brave, people die everyday. I am grateful for the time I have left and want to make the most of it. I just want to say thank you.
I find it all a bit baffling and don't understand what all the fuss is about. I don't see myself as brave, people die everyday. I am grateful for the time I have left and want to make the most of it. I just want to say thank you.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
