Keith Michael Payton

This is a memorial for my dad - Keith Michael Payton, know as Mick or Michael.

He was sadly taken away from us on 28th September 2000, I was only 17 years of age at the time.

I have lost my dad, my hero and my best friend all at the same time.

Michael worked and lived in Warrington all his life until he became unexpectedly ill at the age of 60.

He had back problems for many years and had a successful spine operation in 1997, after 12 weeks of recovery, he retuned to work. Over the next few years he struggled at times with his back but despite all this he was always smiling.

When his grandson Mark was born he started to lose weight, with his history of back problem both Michael and my family assumed the pain and weight loss was due to his spinal injury.

When he dropped to 9 stone by August 2000 he went for further tests on his spine to see what could be done to help, on result of an MRI scan a large mass was discovered on his left lung.

Immediately alarm bells rang and my dad was admitted to hospital for further tests. At this point the ‘Big C’ was mentioned. The fighter my dad was, he packed in smoking and took all the tests and treatment offer to him by the fantastic medical staff but he condition deteriorated very quickly. Within two weeks his weight had dropped to 7 stone, At this point the nurses said he could come out of hospital for a holiday.

On the 2nd September we went for a week’s holiday to Prestayn, he was no longer able to drive or walk for long periods so for most of the holiday was confined to a wheelchair or his bed. It was an extremely difficult time for me and my family to watch the man we loved so much to waste away in front of our eyes. After our holiday, Michael returned to hospital on the assumption of further treatment and hopefully more time with his family

Unfortunately by 20th September we found out he had a week or less to live, talk about a kick in the stomach, how do you react? The thoughts running through my head were unbelievable it just seemed so cruel, I needed more time, we all needed more time but it was rapidly running out!

Three days before my dad passed away, I made him a big promise “I will live on your legacy to the best I can, No matter how bad things get I will always love you and go on to look after those you leave behind and will do my best make you proud”

I was only 17years old and was taking on a massive responsibility to keep this promise but at the time it just felt like the right thing to do. My heart was breaking in two, as I said my dad was dying in front of me and there was nothing I could do to help him.

My mum and I spent 4hours a day at his bedside I was mostly crying but FOREVER holding his hand and telling him over and over again how much I loved him and that I will look after his wife when he’s gone.

On 28th September at 2.20pm he passed away peacefully in my mums arms, I was at college at the time But I knew something wasn’t right all day When my tutor appeared at the classroom door I knew he was gone, she didn’t have to tell me I just said can I see him please?

The college was fantastic and took myself and my sister to the hospital where I went to his side room on the ward. The same room I had been visiting him in for the last 3weeks I walked in the room and he was lay in the bed.

I went over and kissed his head, he felt so cold but looked like an angel so peaceful and no longer in any pain. At that point emotion took over I told the hospital chaplain where to stuff his comfort and asked all my relatives to leave the room SCREAMING just leave me here with my dad

I stayed with him for 15minutes holding him and my tears running down his forehead just repeating myself WHY u dad, it’s so unfair please take me with you.

Now its 9 years on im still here but i miss him more than ever Now i leave this website for this friends and family to miss him too

RIP Keith Michael Payton
xxxx